Question

The charge given to any conductor resides on its outer surface, because

• A. the free charge tends to be in its minimum potential energy state
• B. the free charge tends to be in its minimum kinetic energy state
• C. the free charge tends to be in its maximum potential energy state
• D. the free charge tends to be in its maximum kinetic energy state

Answer 1

The correct option is A the free charge tends to be in its minimum potential energy state

The electrostatic energy of a solid object (with specified shape and total charge) is minimum when that charge is spread over the surface. Like any other free dynamical system, the charge on a conductor will seek the configuration that minimizes its potential energy.