c.

) Laplace’s Equation where: P = AE and Q = BE

The distribution of electrical potential, or temperature,
over a plane area subject to certain boundary conditions, can be The first boundary condition is: u (0, y) = 0
described by Laplace’s∗ equation. The potential at a point P in hence; 0 = P sinh p(y +φ) from which, P =0.
a plane (see figure below) can be indicated by an ordinate axis Hence, u (x, y) = Q sin px sinh p(y+φ)
and is a function of its position, i.e. z=u (x, y), where u (x, y) is
the solution of the Laplace two-dimensional equation: The second boundary condition is: u (a, y) = 0
hence 0 = Q sin pa sinh p(y+φ) from which, sin pa = 0
𝜕𝜕 2 𝑢𝑢 𝜕𝜕 2 𝑢𝑢 𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛
+ =0 Hence, pa=nπ or 𝑝𝑝 = for 𝑛𝑛 = 1,2,3 ….
𝜕𝜕𝑥𝑥 2 𝜕𝜕𝑦𝑦 2 𝑎𝑎

The third boundary condition is: u (x, b) = 0

hence, 0 = Q sin px sinh p(b + φ)
from which, sinh p(b + φ)=0 and φ=−b
Hence, u (x, y) = Q sin px sinh p(y−b) = Q1 sin px sinh p(b−y)
where Q1 = −Q
Who was Laplace?
Since there are many solutions for integer values of n,
Pierre-Simon, Marquis de Laplace (23 March 1749– ∞
5 March 1827) was a French mathematician and astronomer
𝑢𝑢(𝑥𝑥, 𝑦𝑦) = � 𝑄𝑄𝑛𝑛 𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠 sinh 𝑝𝑝(𝑏𝑏 − 𝑦𝑦)
who formulated Laplace’s equation, and pioneered the Laplace
𝑛𝑛=1
transform which appears in many branches of mathematical ∞
𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛 𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛
physics. = � 𝑄𝑄𝑛𝑛 𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠 sinh (𝑏𝑏 − 𝑦𝑦)
𝑎𝑎 𝑎𝑎
𝑛𝑛=1
The method of solution of Laplace’s equation is similar to the
previous examples in our previous topic, as shown below. The fourth boundary condition is: u(x,0) = f (x),
Hence;
Figure below shows a rectangle OPQR bounded by the lines ∞
x =0, y=0, x=a, and y=b, for which we are required to find a 𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛 𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛
𝑓𝑓(𝑥𝑥) = � 𝑄𝑄𝑛𝑛 𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠 sinh
𝜕𝜕2 𝑢𝑢 𝜕𝜕2 𝑢𝑢 𝑎𝑎 𝑎𝑎
solution of the equation + = 0. The solution z = (x, y) 𝑛𝑛=1
𝜕𝜕𝑥𝑥 2 𝜕𝜕𝑦𝑦 2
i.e.,
will give, say, the potential at any point within the rectangle ∞
OPQR. The boundary conditions are: 𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛 𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛
𝑓𝑓(𝑥𝑥) = �(𝑄𝑄𝑛𝑛 𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠ℎ )(𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠 )
𝑎𝑎 𝑎𝑎
𝑛𝑛=1
u=0 when x =0 i.e.; u (0, y) = 0 for 0 ≤ y ≤ b
u=0 when x =a i.e.; u (a, y) = 0 for 0 ≤ y ≤ b From Fourier series coefficients,
u=0 when y=b i.e.; u (x, b) = 0 for 0 ≤ x ≤ a 𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛 𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛
u= f (x) when y=0 i.e.; u(x,0) = f (x) for 0 ≤ x ≤ a (𝑄𝑄𝑛𝑛 𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠ℎ ) = 2 𝑥𝑥 𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚 𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣 𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜 𝑓𝑓(𝑥𝑥)𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠
𝑎𝑎 𝑎𝑎
from x = 0 to x = a
𝒂𝒂
As with previous partial differential equations, a solution of the 𝒏𝒏𝒏𝒏𝒏𝒏
= � 𝒇𝒇(𝒙𝒙)𝒔𝒔𝒔𝒔𝒔𝒔 𝒅𝒅𝒅𝒅 𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓 𝑤𝑤ℎ𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖ℎ 𝑄𝑄𝑛𝑛 𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚 𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑
form u (x, y) = X(x)Y(y) is assumed, where X is a function of x
𝟎𝟎 𝒂𝒂
only, and Y is a function of y only. Simplifying to u=XY,
determining partial derivatives, and substituting into Example #1:A square plate is bounded by the lines x = 0,y = 0,
𝜕𝜕2 𝑢𝑢 𝜕𝜕2 𝑢𝑢 𝜕𝜕2 𝑢𝑢 𝜕𝜕2 𝑢𝑢
2 + =0 gives 𝑋𝑋 ′′ 𝑌𝑌 + 𝑋𝑋𝑌𝑌 ′′ = 0. x =1 and y=1. Apply the Laplace equation + =0
𝜕𝜕𝑥𝑥 𝜕𝜕𝑦𝑦 2 𝜕𝜕𝑥𝑥 2 𝜕𝜕𝑦𝑦 2
to determine the potential distribution u (x, y) over the plate,
𝑋𝑋 ′′ 𝑌𝑌 ′′
Separating the variables gives: =− subject to the following boundary conditions:
𝑋𝑋 𝑌𝑌
u = 0 when x= 0 ; 0 ≤ y≤ 1
Letting each side equal a constant, −p2, gives the two equations: u = 0 when x= 1 ; 0 ≤ y≤ 1
u = 0 when y= 0 ; 0≤ x≤ 1
u = 4 when y= 1 ; 0≤ x≤ 1
Solution: Initially a solution of the form u (x, y) = X(x)Y(y) is
assumed, where X is a function of x only, and Y is a function of
y only. Simplifying to u=XY, determining partial derivatives,
𝜕𝜕2 𝑢𝑢 𝜕𝜕2 𝑢𝑢
and substituting into + = 0 gives 𝑋𝑋 ′′ 𝑌𝑌 + 𝑋𝑋𝑌𝑌 ′′ = 0
𝜕𝜕𝑥𝑥 2 𝜕𝜕𝑦𝑦 2
𝑋𝑋 ′′ + 𝑝𝑝2 𝑋𝑋 = 0 𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎 𝑌𝑌 ′′ − 𝑝𝑝2 𝑌𝑌 = 0
𝑋𝑋 ′′ 𝑌𝑌 ′′
Separating the variables gives: =−
from which; 𝑋𝑋 𝑌𝑌

X = A cos px + B sin px and

Letting each side equal a constant, −p2, gives the two equations:
Y = Cepy + De−py or Y = C cosh py + D sinh py
𝑋𝑋 ′′ + 𝑝𝑝2 𝑋𝑋 = 0 𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎 𝑌𝑌 ′′ − 𝑝𝑝2 𝑌𝑌 = 0
This latter can also be expressed as:
from which;
Y = E sinh p(y+φ) by using compound angles.
X = A cos px + B sin px and
Y = Cepy + De−py or Y = C cosh py + D sinh py or
Hence; u (x, y) = XY
Y = E sinh p(y+φ)
u (x, y) = {A cos px + B sin px} {E sinh p( y +φ)}
or u (x, y) = {P cos px + Q sin px} {sinh p( y +φ)}
Hence; u (x, y) = XY Practice Exercises; Solve the following problem by showing
u (x, y) = {A cos px + B sin px} {E sinh p( y +φ)} your proper solution. Write your answer in long bond paper.
or u (x, y) = {P cos px + Q sin px} {sinh p( y +φ)} 1. A rectangular plate is bounded by the lines x=0, y=0, x=1
𝜕𝜕2 𝑢𝑢 𝜕𝜕2 𝑢𝑢
and y=3. Apply the Laplace equation + = 0 to
𝜕𝜕𝑥𝑥 2 𝜕𝜕𝑦𝑦 2
where: P = AE and Q = BE determine the potential distribution u(x, y) over the plate,
subject to the following boundary conditions:
The first boundary condition is: u (0, y) = 0 u=0 when x=0 ; 0 ≤ y ≤ 2
hence; 0 = P sinh p(y +φ) from which, P =0. u=0 when x=1 ; 0 ≤ y ≤ 2
Hence, u (x, y) = Q sin px sinh p(y+φ) u=0 when y=2 ; 0 ≤ x ≤ 1
u=5 when y=3 ; 0 ≤ x ≤ 1
The second boundary condition is: u (1, y) = 0
hence 0 = Q sin p(1) sinh p(y+φ) from which, sin p = 0 2. A rectangular plate is bounded by the lines x=0, y=0, x=3,
Hence, p=nπ for 𝑛𝑛 = 1,2,3 …. y=2. Determine the potential distribution u(x, y) over the
𝜕𝜕2 𝑢𝑢 𝜕𝜕2 𝑢𝑢
rectangle using the Laplace equation + =0 ,
𝜕𝜕𝑥𝑥 2 𝜕𝜕𝑦𝑦 2
The third boundary condition is: u (x, 0) = 0 subject to the following boundary conditions:
hence, 0 = Q sin px sinh p(φ) u(0, y)=0 0≤y≤2
from which, sinh p(φ)=0 and φ=0 u(3, y)=0 0≤y≤2
Hence, u (x, y) = Q sin px sinh py u(x, 2)=0 0≤x≤3
u(x, 0)=x(3−x) 0 ≤ x ≤ 3
Since there are many solutions for integer values of n,
∞
Answers:
𝑢𝑢(𝑥𝑥, 𝑦𝑦) = � 𝑄𝑄𝑛𝑛 𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠 sinh 𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝
𝑛𝑛=1
∞

= � 𝑄𝑄𝑛𝑛 𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠 𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛 sinh 𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛 𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒. (𝑎𝑎)

𝑛𝑛=1

The fourth boundary condition is: u(x,1) = 4 = f (x),

Hence;
∞

𝑓𝑓(𝑥𝑥) = � 𝑄𝑄𝑛𝑛 𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠 𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛 sinh 𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛(1)

𝑛𝑛=1

From Fourier series coefficients,

(𝑄𝑄𝑛𝑛 𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠ℎ 𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛) = 2 𝑥𝑥 𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚 𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣 𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜 𝑓𝑓(𝑥𝑥) sin 𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛
from x = 0 to x = 1

i.e.;
2 1
= � 4 sin 𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑
1 0
cos 𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛 1
= 8 �− �
𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛 0
8
=− (cos𝑛𝑛𝜋𝜋 − cos 0)
𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛
8
= (1 − cos𝑛𝑛𝜋𝜋)
𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛
= 0 (𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓 𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒𝑒 𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣 𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜 𝑛𝑛)
16
= (𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓𝑓 𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜 𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣𝑣 𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜 𝑛𝑛)
𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛
Hence;
16 16
𝑄𝑄𝑛𝑛 = = 𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐ℎ 𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛
𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛 (sinh 𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛) 𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛

Hence; from equation (a)

∞

𝑢𝑢(𝑥𝑥, 𝑦𝑦) = � 𝑄𝑄𝑛𝑛 𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠 𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛 sinh 𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛

𝑛𝑛=1
∞
16 1
𝑢𝑢(𝑥𝑥, 𝑦𝑦) = � (𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐ℎ 𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛 sin 𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛 sinh 𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛 𝑦𝑦)
𝜋𝜋 𝑛𝑛
𝑛𝑛(𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜0=1