Why does the method of images work?

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1. Sep 2, 2015

Shreyas Shree

Why does the method of images work?

2. Sep 2, 2015

Hesch

Which method ?

3. Sep 2, 2015

Shreyas Shree

Method of image charges in electrostatics to calculate the distribution of the electric field of a charge in the vicinity of a conducting surface.

4. Sep 3, 2015

DocZaius

Have you read the relevant Wikipedia articles?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Method_of_image_charges
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uniqueness_theorem_for_Poisson's_equation

In short, if you can find a solution for the electric potential that satisfies your boundary conditions for the electric potential, and the charge density within the considered region, you've found the unique solution. This is due to the uniqueness theorem.

That fact allows you to cleverly pick an arrangement of charges outside your considered region that satisfies your electric potential boundary conditions (usually by taking advantage of/introducing symmetries) and know that you've found the only solution that exists for your configuration.

Last edited: Sep 3, 2015