Question

When conductors are placed in an electric field, their electrons are moved

• A. Randomly in the direction of the electrical field
• B. In the direction of the applied field
• C. Randomly in all the directions
• D. In the direction opposite the electrical field

Answer 1

The correct option is D

In the direction opposite the electrical field

Conductors

1. Electrical conductors are materials that have free charges (electrons).
2. When conductors are placed inside an electric field, the charges experience an electrical force.
3. The charges rearrange themselves until they experience no more force.
4. As the electric field is switched on, electrons move against the electric field and accumulate on one side of the metal. Naturally, the other side gets positively charged. So, the result is an internal field due to the accumulation of charges.

Hence, the electrons will move in the direction opposite the electrical field.

Therefore, option (D) is correct.