Question

In 8-02 by prof Lewin, lecture about Displacement Currents, (first 15 minutes) he says that electric field only exists between the plates of the capacitor. The wire connected to the capacitor has current on it; isn't there an electric field inside of the wire?

Answer 1

hi

Answer 2

In a wire (= conducting material) there can not exist an electric field.

Answer 3

no there do exists an electric field inside the conductor . the statement that electric field is zero inside a conductor is valid only in the case of static electric fields . it is actually the applied electric field that is causing conduction current
but in the case given the displacement current is caused by the electric field between the plates . but in saying so prof. means static field

Answer 4

the direction of electric field is from + plate towards negative one..so there must be both positive and negative charges in order to talk about electric field. inside the wire, it is assumed that negative charges move only..therefore no electric field is formed..