A conductor has the following key properties:
- It allows free movement of electrons or ions through it, enabling the flow of electric current.
- The electric field inside a conductor is zero, which permits this movement of charges without resistance internally.
- Charge density inside a conductor is zero, meaning free charges reside only on the surface.
- All points of a conductor are at the same electric potential.
- Conductors have low electrical resistance and high thermal conductivity.
- The electric field just outside the conductor is perpendicular to its surface.
- Conductors do not store energy when placed in a magnetic field.
- Metals, such as copper, silver, gold, and aluminum, are good conductors due to the overlap of their valence and conduction energy bands that allow electrons to move freely.
