- #1
WastedMeat
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The method of images exploits the fact any linear combination of solutions to a differential equation is also a solution, and the fields and potentials from a point source satisfy all relevant diff eq's, assuming the boundary conditions are met.
However, a scalar multiple of any solution is also a solution, and for problems involving structures such as a semi-infinite conducting plane where the boundary conditions are that components of the electric field are zero, how is one guaranteed that the physical field amplitude is preserved after introduction of the image charges?
However, a scalar multiple of any solution is also a solution, and for problems involving structures such as a semi-infinite conducting plane where the boundary conditions are that components of the electric field are zero, how is one guaranteed that the physical field amplitude is preserved after introduction of the image charges?