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QPage 139: Q7: HC Verma: Concepts of Physics - Volume 2 Gauss's Law Page 139: Q7 Solution: It is said that any charge given to a conductor comes to its…

⚠️ Common Exam Traps & Conceptual Pitfalls

In a conductor only mobile carriers (free electrons, $e^-$) can redistribute; the positively charged nuclei ($p^+$) are fixed in the lattice and cannot move. Thus only free electrons reach the surface when charge is added.

It is said that any charge given to a conductor comes to its surface. Should all the protons come to the surface? Should all the electrons come to the surface? Should all the free electrons come to the surface?

Step-by-Step Verified Solution

**Answer:** Only the free electrons come to the surface. Protons (bound in nuclei) do not move. **Step-by-Step Explanation:** In a conductor, only the free (conduction) electrons are mobile. When a charge is given to a conductor, the free electrons redistribute to the surface to minimise energy. The positive ions (protons in nuclei) are fixed in the lattice and cannot move. Hence, only free electrons come to the surface .

All Questions in this Chapter

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