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Method of images: charge above a grounded plane

What you are seeing: a real point charge qq at height bb above a grounded conducting plane induces a surface charge on the conductor. The field above the plane is identical to that of the real charge plus an image charge −q-q at depth bb below the plane. Drag the real charge; the image charge follows by mirror reflection.

Figure 1. Equipotentials and induced surface charge for a point charge near a grounded plane.
configuration
q (real charge)1.0
show image
show field
show equipot.

WHAT TO TRY

  • Vary each control and watch the rail readouts respond.
  • Compare the diagnostic plot against the live scene.