PHYS 2102 Lecture : Fall 2012 Lecture 2
Document Summary
At oak ridge national laboratory (oak ridge, tn) How well electrons move through a material is determined by how the molecular structure of the material: the freedom of the outer (valence) electrons. Conductors - electrons flow relatively freely through material most metals: aluminum, copper, gold. Insulators - electrons do not flow (much) plastics, glass, ceramics. On a charged object, the electric charge tends to distribute itself as widely (evenly) as possible in the absence of external charges. Conducting bar charged to -8 c charged to -4 c. Charged objects to not have to touch to have an effect. Presence of nearby charges causes charges in metal sphere to redistribute. If metal sphere is connected to ground then some positive charges will. Flow to ground, leaving sphere with a net positive charge. Situation with insulators is a little more complex. Charge does not readily flow through the entire object.
