Physics
Physics
Problem
Charges that can move freely inside a metal and finally reside on its outer surface when the metal reaches electrostatic equilibrium are called a) surface charges b) bound charges c) free charges d) polarisation chargesIntuitive explanation
This question is about understanding how conductors behave in electrostatic equilibrium. The key insight is that inside a metal, certain charges are loosely bound and respond to electric fields by moving until the internal field becomes zero. Once that happens, all excess charge must reside on the surface where it can't move any deeper. These mobile charges are what give metals their conducting property.
Intuitive explanation
This question is about understanding how conductors behave in electrostatic equilibrium. The key insight is that inside a metal, certain charges are loosely bound and respond to electric fields by moving until the internal field becomes zero. Once that happens, all excess charge must reside on the surface where it can't move any deeper. These mobile charges are what give metals their conducting property.