Derivation of the heat equation in one dimension

Homework 11/11/21

Irene Pascual- Heranz Bronchalo (100452087)

The heat equation is a parabolic partial differential equation that describes how heat
diffuses through a given region. This equation, and its variants, is also used in many
fields of science and applied mathematics, such as probability theory, financial
mathematics , and quantum mechanics.

Derive the one-dimensional heat equation from first principles, and discuss the different
types of boundary conditions needed to determine the solution uniquely.

To derive the one- dimensional heat equation, we start by considering the conduction of heat
in a one- dimensional rod, as shown in figure 1.

Figure 1. One-Dimensional Rod

Additionally, we define the following functions:

➢ Thermal Energy Density → e (x, t) : the amount of thermal energy per unit volume.
It will be our unknown function.
➢ Heat Flux → ϕ(x, t) : the amount of energy that flows per unit surface and unit
time.
➢ Heat Source → Q (x, t) : thermal energy generated per unit volume and unit time.
➢ Heat Capacity → c (x) : the amount of heat to be supplied to an object to produce a
unit change in its temperature.
➢ Mass Density → ρ (x) : the amount of mass (or the number of particles) of a
substance, material or object in relation to the space it occupies.
➢ Temperature Function→ u (x, t) :is the manifestation of thermal energy, which is
the source of the occurrence of heat when a body is in contact with another.

This functions are related to each other in the following way:

 ∂𝑒 ∂ϕ
∂𝑡
= − ∂𝑥
+ 𝑄 (𝑥, 𝑡) and 𝑒(𝑥, 𝑡) = 𝑐(𝑥)·ρ (𝑥) · 𝑢(𝑥, 𝑡)

where the negative sign of the heat flux derivative means that if the heat flux increases, the
energy decreases.

Relating this two equations we obtain:

∂𝑢 ∂ϕ ∂𝑢
𝑐(𝑥)·ρ (𝑥) · ∂𝑡
(𝑥, 𝑡) =− ∂𝑥 ∂𝑡
(𝑥, 𝑡) + 𝑄 (𝑥, 𝑡)

∂𝑢
Introducing Fourier Heat Law, ϕ (𝑥, 𝑡) = − 𝐾0· ∂𝑥
we finally obtain:

2
∂𝑢 ∂𝑢
∂𝑡
(𝑥, 𝑡) = 𝑘(𝑥) 2 (𝑥, 𝑡) + 𝑄 (𝑥, 𝑡)
∂𝑥

where 𝑘(𝑥) = 𝐾0 / 𝑐(𝑥)·ρ (𝑥)

Now, in order to solve this differential equation we analyze what happens depending on the
different initial and boundary conditions:

Initial Conditions:

The Partial Differential Equation describing the flow of the heat energy has a one time
derivative, thus we only have one initial condition. Nevertheless it is possible to have an
initial temperature which is not constant. Therefore, the initial temperature distribution is
given by:
u (x, 0) = f (x)

Boundary Conditions:
In order to solve the heat equation, we need one boundary condition at both ends of the rod

1) Dirichlet Boundary Conditions temperature prescribed at the ends

u (0, t) = T (t) and u (L, t) = G (t)

Using the separation of variable method, the eigenvalues will be given by

𝑛π 2
λ= ( 𝐿
) (𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑛 = 1, 2...) and its corresponding series and coefficients are given
in function of the sine.
2) Neumann Boundary Conditions temperature prescribed at the ends : in case an end is
perfectly insulated there would be no heat flow at the boundary.

∂𝑢
± 𝐾0(0) ∂𝑥
(0, 𝑡) = ϕ(𝑡) for instance if the first end is insulated
∂𝑢
∂𝑥
(0, 𝑡) = 0

Using the separation of variable method, the eigenvalues will be given by

𝑛π 2
λ= ( 𝐿
) (𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑛 = 1, 2...) and its corresponding series and coefficients are in
function of the cosine.

3) Mixed Boundary Conditions temperature prescribed at the ends : in this case the flow
at the ends is proportional to the temperature difference inside and outside the rod.

∂𝑢
± 𝐾0(0) ∂𝑥
(0, 𝑡) = 𝐻 [𝑢(0, 𝑡) − 𝑇(𝑡) ]

Using the separation of variable method, the eigenvalues will be given by

𝑛π 2
λ= ( 𝐿
) (𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑛 = 1, 2...) and its corresponding series and coefficients in
function of both, sines and cosines.