Question

What are hollow conductors?

Answer 1

In order to solve this question, we are going to first define what a conductor is then, the hollow conductors are defined. After that the properties of the hollow conductors are given along with the distribution of charge for a case of a positive charge that is present at the center of the conductor.

Complete step-by-step solution:
A conductor is defined as an object or type of material that allows the flow of charge in one or more directions. The good conductors allow a large amount of the charge flow while a bad conductor allows only a small amount of the charge flow. A hollow conductor is defined as the conductor that allows the flow of the charges through a central channel.
Properties:
The diameter of the hollow conductors are large as compared to the solid conductors.
The corona loss is eliminated due to the large diameter.
The skin effect of hollow conductors is less as compared to stranded conductors.
In a hollow conductor , if a positive charge $+ Q$is placed at the center, then the charges are induced in such a way that the inner faces have a negative charge $- Q$induced and become negative while the outer faces have the positive charge$+ Q$ induced to become positive.

Note: It is important to note that if we look at the inductance of a hollow conductor, then it is very less as compared to the other solid conductors. And as the diameter of the conductor increases, it exposes more weight due to the wind pressure and ice accumulated on the surface of the hollow conductor.