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what happens when you place a long Finite conducting wire in an Electric Field , does current flow through it ? Is Potential Same all over the wire ?

i just got these questions in my mind as i was watching a lecture...i am unable to answer these...any useful explanation is appreciated

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  • $\begingroup$ By "long" you mean infinite? Do you understand what happens if the conductor is "short"? $\endgroup$
    – nasu
    Commented Apr 30, 2022 at 13:57
  • $\begingroup$ @nasu No, I mean Long Finite Wire $\endgroup$
    – TPL
    Commented Apr 30, 2022 at 13:59
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    $\begingroup$ youtu.be/oI_X2cMHNe0 12:50 short answer, an initial current is generated, but quickly goes to zero $\endgroup$
    – jensen paull
    Commented Apr 30, 2022 at 14:08

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If the field is static, the conductor will be equipotential in the equilibrium state. If you bring the conductor in the field from a region with no field or with a different value of the field there will be some motion of charge (so, a current) until the equilibrium is reached. The same happens when you turn on the field. A very short lived motion (redistribution) of the free charges until all points of the conductor have the same potential. There is nothing special about a wire. Same happens for any shape of the conductor.

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    $\begingroup$ Good answer +1. You might also mention that the time it takes to reach equilibrium depends on the size of the conductor. So for a very long conductor it could take a long time. This is essentially what makes an antenna work best at a certain frequency $\endgroup$
    – Dale
    Commented Apr 30, 2022 at 14:09
  • $\begingroup$ @nasu Does the presence of the wire effect the electric vector field? $\endgroup$
    – relayman357
    Commented Mar 31, 2023 at 2:30
  • $\begingroup$ What electric field? Produced by what? $\endgroup$
    – nasu
    Commented Mar 31, 2023 at 15:26

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