ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
I would like to express my deep sense of gratitude to
my respected Physics teacher, [Link] , for her/his
constant guidance, encouragement, and valuable
suggestions throughout the completion of this
investigatory project. Her/his expertise and motivation
have been instrumental in helping me understand the
concept and complete the project successfully.
I am also thankful to our Principal, SHRI
PRIYADARSHAN BHATTACHARYA, for providing us
with this wonderful opportunity to explore and learn
through practical investigation in the Physics
laboratory.
My sincere thanks go to the school laboratory
assistant for providing all the necessary materials and
equipment on time and for their cooperation during the
experiment.
I would also like to acknowledge my friends and
classmates for their support, sharing of ideas, and
teamwork, which made this project more enjoyable and
meaningful.
Finally, I am deeply grateful to my parents for their
constant encouragement, moral support, and patience
throughout the preparation and completion of this
project.
This project has been a truly educational and enriching
experience, allowing me to apply theoretical concepts
to real-life observations and gain a deeper
understanding of electrostatics.
MAHAVAISHNAVI
Class XII A
Session: 2025–26
CERTIFICATE
This is to certify that MAHAVAISHNAVI of
class 12TH A has successfully completed
her project on topic To Demonstrate that
Electric Charge Resides on the Surface
of a Conductor and was guided by
[Link], PGT physics during the
academic year 2025-26 as per the
guidelines given by CBSE.
STUDENT’S NAME & SIGN
EXAMINER’S SIGN
PRINCIPAL’S SIGN
🔷 Introduction
When a conductor is charged, the charges
are free to move within it. These free
charges repel each other and try to stay as
far apart as possible. As a result, they move
to the outer surface of the conductor,
where they reach an equilibrium state.
Inside the conductor, the repulsion between
charges balances out, producing no net
electric field. Therefore, the electric field
inside a conductor is zero, and all
charges exist only on the [Link]
fundamental property of conductors is used
in many real-life applications such as
Faraday cages, lightning conductors,
and electrostatic shielding .When a
conductor is charged, the charges are free
to move within it. These free charges repel
each other and try to stay as far apart as
possible. As a result, they move to the
outer surface of the conductor, where they
reach an equilibrium state. Inside the
conductor, the repulsion between charges
balances out, producing no net electric
field. Therefore, the electric field inside a
conductor is zero, and all charges exist
only on the surface. This fundamental
property of conductors is used in many real-
life applications such as Faraday cages,
lightning conductors, and electrostatic
shielding.
🔷Apparatus / Materials
Required
Materials Purpose
Metal sphere or
bowl (aluminum or Acts as a conductor
copper)
Plastic or glass To create static
rod charge
For rubbing the rod
Wool or silk cloth to generate static
electricity
Tiny bits of
To visualize charge
aluminum foil or
distribution
tissue paper
Materials Purpose
Wooden or plastic To hold the
stand conductor safely
Optional: Metal To demonstrate the
nail or pin point effect
🔷 Theory
When a conductor is charged, electrons
move freely throughout the material. These
electrons repel each other due to
electrostatic forces and tend to occupy
positions where repulsion is minimum. This
distribution leads to the following important
results:
1. Electric field inside the
conductor is zero.
The charges rearrange themselves until
the field inside the conductor cancels out
completely.
2. Charge resides only on the outer
surface of the conductor.
The charges accumulate on the surface
because if they were inside, they would
move until they reach the surface.
3. Potential is constant throughout
the conductor.
Since the electric field inside is zero, the
entire conductor is at the same
potential.
4. Charge density is higher at sharp
points.
The smaller the radius of curvature, the
greater the charge concentration — this
is known as the point effect.
hese principles are central to electrostatics and
explain several natural and technological phenomena.
🔷 Procedure
1. Take a metal sphere or bowl and
place it on a wooden or plastic stand
to insulate it from the ground.
2. Tear small bits of aluminum foil or
tissue paper and gently place them on
the surface of the sphere.
3. Rub a plastic or glass rod with
wool or silk cloth to produce static
charge on the rod.
4. Bring the charged rod close to the
metal sphere (do not touch it).
5. Observe the behavior of the foil or
tissue bits — they move or spread
along the surface of the sphere.
6. Attach a sharp metal point (like a
pin) to the sphere and observe that
more foil bits gather near the sharp
tip.
7. Note all your observations carefully.
🔷 Observations
Observation Inference
Foil bits move only
Charge exists only
along the outer
on the surface
surface
No movement or
No charge inside
activity inside the
the conductor
sphere
High surface
Greater movement
charge density at
near sharp points
sharp points
Like charges repel
on the surface
[Link] Particulars Page No
1. Introduction
2. Objectives/Aims
3. Materials Required
4. Theory
5. Circuit Diagram
6. Procedure
7. Observation & result
8. Precaution
9. Conclusion
10. Bibliography
PM SHRI KENDRIYA
VIDYALAYA CRPF AVADI
Name: Mahavaishnavi
Class: xii a
Roll nO:
🔹 Aim
To demonstrate that
electric charge
resides only on the
surface of a
conductor and that
there is no charge
inside the conductor.
🔷 Result
From the above observations and experimental setup, it
is clearly proved that electric charges in a
conductor reside only on its outer surface. When
the conductor is charged, the free electrons within it
move and redistribute themselves in such a way that
the electric field inside the conductor becomes
zero. This happens because the charges arrange
themselves until the internal repulsive forces are
completely balanced.
Therefore, no charge is found inside the
conductor, and the entire charge appears only on its
surface. The movement of lightweight foil pieces on the
surface of the conductor confirms that the charge is
confined to the outer region only.
Furthermore, when a sharp metal point is attached to
the conductor, it is observed that a greater amount of
charge collects near that point. This phenomenon is
known as the point effect, which occurs due to the
high charge density at sharp edges or tips (where the
radius of curvature is small).
Hence, this experiment successfully verifies the
fundamental electrostatic property of conductors
— that charges always reside on their surfaces,
the electric field inside is zero, and charge
concentration is maximum at sharp points.
This principle also forms the basis of important
applications such as lightning conductors, Faraday
cages, and electrostatic shielding used in our daily
life.
🔷 PRECAUTIONS
1. The metal sphere must be
clean, dry, and isolated from
the ground.
2. The experiment should be
conducted away from fans or
drafts.
3. Avoid touching the sphere
while charging.
4. Use very small,
lightweight particles for
clear visualization.
5. Perform the experiment
multiple times for accuracy
THANK YOU !!!