Solution of Wave equation by variable separable method

• 
The Wave equation is

Let the solution of (1) be

Then, substituting in (1), we have

separating the variables, we have

solving these two ODEs

for X and T results in the following cases:-

Case i: When k is positive,

   From (3) We have
 
  Auxiliary Equation:
Auxiliary Equation:
Then,
Then,
Solution is T
Solution is +

 
Case ii: When k is negative,
 
 
Auxiliary Equation: Auxiliary Equation:

Then, Then,

Solution is + Solution is T
• 
.

Case iii: When k is zero, i.e

   
Auxiliary Equation: Auxiliary Equation:

Then, Then

Solution is Solution is

 
Various possible solutions are
• 
.

Of these solutions, choose that, which is consistent with the physical nature of the
problems. Since, we are dealing with the problems on vibrations, u must be a
periodic function of x and t.

Therefore, the solution must involve trigonometric functions. Accordingly, the only
suitable solution is ( which corresponds to )

4)

Boundary conditions:

i) u( 0, t ) = 0 : substituting x = 0 and u = 0 in (4), gives

•   u( l, t ) = 0 : substituting x = l and u = 0 in (4), gives
ii)

, n=1,2,3….

Eq (4) reduces to

Adding up the solutions for different values of n,

is also the solution.

•Initial
.

  conditions:
i) u( x, 0 ) = f(x) : Put t = 0 and u = f(x) in (5)
Which is half range Fourier Sine series

ii) differentiate (5) w.r.t ‘t’

.

•From
  (5),

is the solution of wave equation, where and are given by

Note: If f(x)=0, then

and if g(x)=0, then

• 
Examples: Wave equation
.

Eg 1: A string is stretched and fastened to two points ‘l’ apart. Motion is started by
displacing the string in the form from which it is released at time t=0. Show that
the displacement of any point at a distance x from one end at time t is given by .

Solution: Equation of the string is

Solution of (1) is

Boundary conditions:

i) u( 0, t ) = 0 : Put x = 0 and y = 0 in (2)

• 
gives
.

ii) u( l, t ) = 0 : Put x = l and y = 0 in (2)

gives

, n=1,2,3

(2) reduces to

Initial condition:

i) Put t = 0,
• 
.

At t=0:

From (3),

ii) : Put t = 0 and in (4)

gives ,

Therefore, required solution is,

•   2: A tightly stretched string with fixed end points x=0 and x=l is initially in a
Eg
.

position given by . If it is released from rest from this position, find the
displacement.

Solution: The equation of the string is

Solution of (1) is

Boundary conditions:

i) u( 0, t ) = 0 : Put x = 0 and y = 0 in (2)

gives
• 
.

ii) u( l, t ) = 0 : Put x = l and y = 0 in (2)

gives

, n=1,2,3

(2) reduces to

Initial condition:

i) Put t=0,
• 
.

At t=0:

From (3),

The general solution is

• 
.

ii) : Put t = 0 and in (5)

gives

+++…..
On comparing,
,,,

From (5), the required solution is,

•Eg  3: A tightly stretched string with fixed end points x=0 and x=l is initially at rest
.

in its equilibrium position. If it is set vibrating by giving to each of its points a

velocity , find the displacement of the string at any distance x from one end at any
time t.

Solution: The equation of the string is

Solution of (1) is

Boundary conditions:

i) u( 0, t ) = 0 : Put x = 0 and y = 0 in (2)

gives
•ii)  u( l, t ) = 0 : Put x = l and y = 0 in
.

(2)
gives

, n=1,2,3

(2) reduces to

Initial condition:

i) u( x, 0 ) = 0 : Since the string was initially at rest put t = 0 in (3)

gives so, that the general solution is

• 
.

ii) :

At t = 0,

On integrating by parts,
• 
.

Substituting in (5),

Required solution from (4) is