NDA2025General AbilityGeneral ScienceActual
For a material under static conditions, which one among the following statements is correct?
Options
- AAn insulator can be charged
- BA perfect conductor can be charged
- CBoth perfect conductor and insulator can be charged
- DBoth perfect conductor and insulator cannot be charged
Correct answer
C. Both perfect conductor and insulator can be charged
Step-by-step solution
Under static conditions, an insulator can be charged by methods such as friction or contact. The charge supplied to an insulator remains localized at the region of application because charges cannot move freely within the material. A perfect conductor can also be charged. When a net charge is given to an isolated conductor, it redistributes itself entirely over its outer surface to maintain a zero electric field inside the material, which is a requirement for electrostatic equilibrium. Therefore, both a perfect con