Question

Describe the following attributes of a metal wire in steady

state vs. equilibrium:

Metal Wire	Steady-state	Equilibrium
Location of excess charge
Motion of mobile electrons
inside the metal wire

Short answer

Metal Wire	Steady-state	Equilibrium
Location of excess charge	No excess charge	If present, on the surface
Motion of mobile electrons	In motion	Stationary
inside the metal wire	Non-zero	Zero

Step-by-step solution

Given data

A metal wire in steady state and in equilibrium.

Concept of steady state and equilibrium

A conductor with a continuous and steady flow of charges is said to be in a steady state.

A conductor where the charges are stationary and situated at the surface is said to be in equilibrium.

Determination of the difference between steady state and equilibrium in a metal wire

A metal wire in equilibrium can have excess charges only at the surface. There are no charges inside the wire. A metal wire in steady state doesn't have any excess charge. It is electrically neutral.

The electric field inside a metal wire in equilibrium is zero but the electric field inside a metal wire in steady state is never zero.

Thus the table can be filled as follows:

Metal Wire	Steady-state	Equilibrium
Location of excess charge	No excess charge	If present, on the surface
Motion of mobile electrons	In motion	Stationary
inside the metal wire	Non-zero	Zero