Induced charge distribution on conductor via “method of images”
Consider a source charge brought close to a conductor:
- Charge distribution “induced” on conductor by source charge:
- Induced charge distribution is “real” and sources E-field that is zero inside conductor!
- resulting E-field is sum of field from source charge and induced charge distribution
- E-field is locally perpendicular to surface
- just like the homework problem.
- With enough symmetry, can solve for s on conductor