Question

The direction of an electric field just outside the surface of a charged conductor is?

Answer 1

Explanation:

1. Assume there is a component of the electric field along the direction of the surface area.
2. This component of the electric field will move the static charges causing current to flow.
3. But under static conditions, no surface current can occur.
4. So, the charges arrange themselves such that there are no electric field components along the surface of the conductor.

Hence, the electric field just outside the conductor is normal to the surface.