Applications of Partial Differential Equations

Topics:

1) Solution of one dimensional heat equation by the

method of separation of variables
2) Solution of one dimensional wave equation by
the method of separation of variables
3) Solution of two dimensional Laplace equation
by the method of separation of variables

Department of Mathematics
Applications of Partial Differential Equations

1). Solve one dimensional heat equation in all feasible

cases by the method of separation of variables

Solution:
Given one dimensional heat equation is (1)
Here
Let be a solution of equation (1)
Here is a function of ‘ ’ alone and is a function of ‘ ’ alone
Then and
Now equation (1) =

say

and

Department of Mathematics
Applications of Partial Differential Equations

and
and
(2) and (3)

Case – 1: If then
Equation (2) gives Equation (3) gives

Integrating ‘ ’, we get Integrating ‘ ’, we get

Again integrating, we get

The solution of the equation (1) is

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Application
Applications of of Partial
Partial Differential
Differential Equations
Equations

Case – 2: If , say then

Equation (2) gives Equation (3) gives

Solving this, we get Solving this, we get

The A.E is The A.E is

The roots are The roots are

Therefore the C.F is Therefore the C.F is

The solution of the equation (1) is

𝟐 𝟐

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Applications of Partial Differential Equations

Case – 3: If , say then

Equation (2) gives Equation (3) gives

Solving this, we get Solving this, we get

The A.E is The A.E is

The roots are The roots are

Therefore the C.F is Therefore the C.F is

The solution of the equation (1) is

𝟐 𝟐

Department of Mathematics
Applications of Partial Differential Equations

Out of these three solutions, we have to choose the solution,

which is consistent with the physical nature of the problem.

As we are dealing with the problems on heat conduction, it

must be a transient solution.

That is ‘ ’ is to decrease with the increase of the time ‘ ’

The suitable solution of the one dimensional heat equation is
𝟐 𝟐

Where 𝟏 , 𝟐 and 𝟑 are arbitrary constants, which can be

evaluated with the given boundary conditions in problem.

Department of Mathematics
Applications of Partial Differential Equations

2). Solve one dimensional wave equation in all feasible

cases by the method of separation of variables

Solution:
Given one dimensional wave equation is (1)
Here
Let be a solution of equation (1)
Here is a function of ‘ ’ alone and is a function of ‘ ’ alone
Then and
Now equation (1) =

say

and

Department of Mathematics
Applications of Partial Differential Equations

and
and
(2) and (3)

Case – 1: If then
Equation (2) gives Equation (3) gives

Integrating ‘ ’, we get Integrating ‘ ’, we get

Again integrating, we get Again integrating, we get

The solution of the equation (1) is

Department of Mathematics
Applications of Partial Differential Equations

Case – 2: If , say then

Equation (2) gives Equation (3) gives

Solving this, we get Solving this, we get

The A.E is The A.E is

The roots are The roots are

Therefore the C.F is Therefore the C.F is

The solution of the equation (1) is

Department of Mathematics
Applications of Partial Differential Equations

Case – 3: If , say then

Equation (2) gives Equation (3) gives

Solving this, we get Solving this, we get

The A.E is The A.E is

The roots are The roots are

Therefore the C.F is Therefore the C.F is

The solution of the equation (1) is

Department of Mathematics
Applications of Partial Differential Equations

Out of these three solutions, we have to choose the solution,

which is consistent with the physical nature of the problem.

As we are dealing with the problems on vibrations, ‘ ’ must be

periodic function of ‘ ’ and ‘ ’.

Hence their solutions must involve trigonometric terms.

The suitable solution of the one dimensional wave equation is

Where 𝟏 , 𝟐 , 𝟑 and 𝟒 are arbitrary constants, which can be

evaluated with the given boundary conditions in problem.

Department of Mathematics
Applications of Partial Differential Equations

3). Solve two dimensional Laplace equation in all

feasible cases by the method of separation of variables
Solution:
Given two dimensional Laplace equation is (1)
Here
Let be a solution of equation (1)
Here is a function of ‘ ’ alone and is a function of ‘ ’ alone
Then and
Now equation (1) +

say

and
Department of Mathematics
Applications of Partial Differential Equations

and
and
(2) and (3)

Case – 1: If then
Equation (2) gives Equation (3) gives

Integrating ‘ ’, we get Integrating ‘ ’, we get

Again integrating, we get Again integrating, we get

The solution of the equation (1) is

Department of Mathematics
Applications of Partial Differential Equations

Case – 2: If , say then

Equation (2) gives Equation (3) gives

Solving this, we get Solving this, we get

The A.E is The A.E is

The roots are The roots are

Therefore the C.F is Therefore the C.F is

The solution of the equation (1) is

Department of Mathematics
Applications of Partial Differential Equations

Case – 3: If , say then

Equation (2) gives Equation (3) gives

Solving this, we get Solving this, we get

The A.E is The A.E is

The roots are The roots are

Therefore the C.F is Therefore the C.F is

The solution of the equation (1) is

Department of Mathematics
Applications of Partial Differential Equations

Out of these three solutions, we have to choose the solution, which

is consistent with the given boundary conditions of the problem.
In most of the physical problems, the suitable solution of the
two dimensional Laplace equation is

Where 𝟏 , 𝟐 , 𝟑 and 𝟒 are arbitrary constants, which can be

evaluated with the given boundary conditions in problem.

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