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A charge of $Q$ coulomb is placed on a solid piece of metal of irregular shape. The charge will distribute itself:

1. Uniformly in the metal object
2. Uniformly on the surface of the object
3. Such that the potential energy of the system is minimised
4. Such that the total heat loss is minimised

Correct answer: Such that the potential energy of the system is minimised

Solution

In a conductor at electrostatic equilibrium, free charges redistribute themselves on the surface. The arrangement is such that the electrostatic potential energy of the system is minimum. For an irregular shape, the surface charge density is not uniform.

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