Green's functions and method of images: an interdisciplinary topic usually cast aside in physics textbooks

TL;DR

This paper explores the use of Green's functions and the method of images to solve electrostatic problems, highlighting their interdisciplinary role and educational significance in physics textbooks.

Contribution

It demonstrates the connection between Green's functions and the method of images, emphasizing their structural importance in teaching electrostatics.

Findings

Green's functions effectively solve electrostatic problems

The method of images is linked to Green's functions pedagogically

Mathematical structures underpin physical problem-solving approaches

Abstract

In the present work we discuss how to address the solution of electrostatic problems, in professional cycle, using Green's functions and the Poisson's equation. By using this procedure, it was possible to verify its relation with the method of images as an interdisciplinary approach in didactic physics textbooks. For this, it was considered the structural role that mathematics, specially the Green's function, have in physical thought presented in the method of images.