METHOD

OF
IMAGES

Guided By: RAVI RANJAN

Er. D.R.Nayak 070120928
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EEE-B
 Contents
 Introduction.
 Image Theory.
 Boundary Condition.
 Uniqueness theorem.
 MOI for Electostatic Fields.
 Practical Aspect of MOI.
 Applications of MOI.
 Limitations.
 Refrences.
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 Introduction
What is ”The Method of Images ”?
Introduced by Lord Kelvin in 1848.
A basic mathematical problem-solving tool
for solving differential equations.
Used in electrostatics to visualize the distrib
ution of the electric field of a charge.
Used in magnetostatics for calculating the
magnetic field of a magnet .
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 Image Theory
 “ States that a given charge configuration abo
ve an infinite grounded perfect conducting plan
e may be replaced by the charge configuration it
self, its image and an equipotential surface in pl
ace of the conducting plane.”

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 Must conditions for Image Theo
ry
Condition 1:
Image charge must be located in conducting medi
um.
This condition is necessary to satisfy
POISSON’S EQUATION
Condition 2:
Image charges must be located such that on the
conducting surface the potential is zero or cons
tant.
This condition is necessary to satisfy :
5 THE BOUNDRY CONDITIONS.
 Poission’s Equation
 Poisson's equation is a partial differential equati
on with broad utility in electrostatics, mechanical
engineering and theoretical physics. The Poisson
equation is

Problem where only electrostatic conditions give

n, E,V desired
Used in various area such as magnetostatics(mag
netic potential), heat conditions(temprature), flui
d flow(stress function) and in seepage problems
6 (pressure head).
 Boundary conditions
If the field consists of two different medium or
region, the conditions that the field must satisfy
at the interface are called boundary conditions.
 Helpful in determining the field on one side w
hen field on other side known.

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 Uniqueness Theorem
Uniqueness theorem says that an object satisfyi
ng some set of given conditions or properties is
the only such object that exists; it is uniquely de
termined by the specified conditions.
draw a closed loop to define a region inside an
d a surface on the line. If:
 =f
within the region and V = g on the surface
then V(x,y,z) is unique (given constant f and g).

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Method of Images for Electrostatic fie
lds.

For a charge Q; when perfectly conducting plan

e is replaced by the equipotential surface then i
ts corresponding image configuration arises wit
h –Q charge.
Proof:
Consider a point P(x,y,z) in the electric field (E)
Net electric field =
[(Electric field due to Q)+( electric field due to –
Q)]
E=E+ + E-
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 Image configuration and field lines.

-Q

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 .
= + r1=(x,y,z)-(0,0,h)
=(x,y,(z-h)
r2=(x,y,z)-(0,0,-h)
=(x,y,(z+h)

E=

Surface charge density

ds=

11 Hence we found that : Qi=-Q

 Practical Aspects
Number Of Images:

When any point charge or object lie in between

two semi infinite conducting plane then the no
of images

where
Ø= Angle between the two semiinfinite conducting pla
ne.
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 ween
two plans is 90 degree. two plane is 0 de
gree

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 Applications of MOI
APPLICATION OF MOI IN FIELD OF POWER SYS
TEMS
Calculation of Capacitance of Transmission Line
s
So Far Presence of Earth ignored.
CAPACITANCE OF A SINGLE PHASE LINE
Calculation is done taking the presence of earth
into account by the method of images
Electric field of two long ,parallel ,oppositely ch
arged conductors a and b, and their images a’a
nd b’ follows :
14 We first calculate voltage drop V ab :
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 Voltage drop as determined by two charge a,b an
d their images a’, b’.

Substituting the values of diffrent charges and sim

plifying, we get,

It immediately follows: F/m

line to line.

And
F/m line to neutral.

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 Other Applications
Description of Transition Radiation generated
when a charged particle passes through perfect
ly conducting plane.

Visualize the distribution of electric field.

Calculation of Magnetic Field of Magnet.

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 Limitations
Method of Images is true only for a conducting
plane of infinite extent and depth.

Method of Images is not applicable for curved s

urface, since it is neither equal in magnitude no
r equally distant from the conducting surface.

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 References
Elements of Electromagnetics.
By :- Matthew.N.O. Sadiku.
Principle of Electromagnetics.
By :- Bhag Guru.
 www.wikipedia.com.

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 THANK YOU

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 ANY QUERIES???

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