Second Order Linear Partial Differential Equations Part IV

1 2008, 2012 Zachary S Tseng E 4 1 Second Order Linear Partial Differential Equations Part IV One dimensional undamped wave equation; D Alembert solution of the wave equation; damped wave equation and the general wave equation; two dimensional Laplace equation The Second type of Second Order Linear Partial Differential Equations in 2 independent variables is the one dimensional wave equation. Together with the heat conduction equation, they are sometimes referred to as the evolution Equations because their solutions evolve , or change, with passing time.

2 The simplest instance of the one dimensional wave equation problem can be illustrated by the equation that describes the standing wave exhibited by the motion of a piece of undamped vibrating elastic string. 2008, 2012 Zachary S Tseng E 4 2 Undamped One-Dimensional Wave Equation: Vibrations of an Elastic String Consider a piece of thin flexible string of length L, of negligible weight. Suppose the two ends of the string are firmly secured ( clamped ) at some supports so they will not move.

3 Assume the set up has no damping. Then, the vertical displacement of the string, 0 < x < L, and at any time t > 0, is given by the displacement function u(x, t). It satisfies the homogeneous one dimensional undamped wave equation: a2 uxx = utt Where the constant coefficient a2 is given by the formula a2 = T / , such that a = horizontal propagation speed (also known as phase velocity) of the wave motion, T = force of tension exerted on the string, = mass density (mass per unit length). It is subjected to the homogeneous boundary conditions u(0, t) = 0, and u(L, t) = 0, t > 0.

4 The two boundary conditions reflect that the two ends of the string are clamped in fixed positions. Therefore, they are held motionless at all time. The equation comes with 2 initial conditions, due to the fact that it contains the Second Partial derivative of time, utt. The two initial conditions are the initial (vertical) displacement u(x, 0), and the initial (vertical) velocity ut(x, 0)*, both are arbitrary functions of x alone. (Note that the string is merely the medium for the wave, it does not itself move horizontally, it only vibrates, vertically, in place.)

5 The resulting undulation, or the wave like shape of the string, is what moves horizontally.) * Velocity = rate of change of displacement with respect to time. The other first Partial derivative ux represents the slope of the string at a point x and time t. 2008, 2012 Zachary S Tseng E 4 3 Hence, what we have is the following initial boundary value problem: (Wave equation) a2 uxx = utt , 0 < x < L, t > 0, (Boundary conditions) u(0, t) = 0, and u(L, t) = 0, (Initial conditions) u(x, 0) = f (x), and ut(x, 0) = g(x).

6 We first let u(x, t) = X(x)T(t) and separate the wave equation into two ordinary Differential Equations . Substituting uxx = X T and utt = X T into the wave equation, it becomes a2 X T = X T . 2008, 2012 Zachary S Tseng E 4 4 Dividing both sides by a2 X T : TaTXX2 = As for the heat conduction equation, it is customary to consider the constant a2 as a function of t and group it with the rest of t terms. Insert the constant of separation and break apart the equation: = = TaTXX2 = XX X = X X + X = 0, = TaT2 T = a2 T T + a2 T = 0.

7 The boundary conditions also separate: u(0, t) = 0 X(0)T(t) = 0 X(0) = 0 or T(t) = 0 u(L, t) = 0 X(L)T(t) = 0 X(L) = 0 or T(t) = 0 As usual, in Order to obtain nontrivial solutions, we need to choose X(0) = 0 and X(L) = 0 as the new boundary conditions. The result, after separation of variables, is the following simultaneous system of ordinary Differential Equations , with a set of boundary conditions: X + X = 0, X(0) = 0 and X(L) = 0, T + a2 T = 0. 2008, 2012 Zachary S Tseng E 4 5 The next step is to solve the eigenvalue problem X + X = 0, X(0) = 0, X(L) = 0.

8 We have already solved this eigenvalue problem, recall. The solutions are Eigenvalues: 222Ln =, n = 1, 2, 3, .. Eigenfunctions: LxnXn sin=, n = 1, 2, 3, .. Next, substitute the eigenvalues found above into the Second equation to find T(t). After putting eigenvalues into it, the equation of T becomes 02222=+ TLnaT . It is a Second Order homogeneous Linear equation with constant coefficients. It s characteristic have a pair of purely imaginary complex conjugate roots: iLanr =.

9 Thus, the solutions are simple harmonic: LtanBLtanAtTnnn sincos)(+=, n = 1, 2, 3, .. Multiplying each pair of Xn and Tn together and sum them up, we find the general solution of the one dimensional wave equation, with both ends fixed, to be 2008, 2012 Zachary S Tseng E 4 6 = +=1sinsincos),(nnnLxnLtanBLtanAtxu . There are two sets of (infinitely many) arbitrary coefficients. We can solve for them using the two initial conditions. Set t = 0 and apply the first initial condition, the initial (vertical) displacement of the string u(x, 0) = f (x), we have () = ===+=11)(sinsin)0sin()0cos()0,(nnnnnxfLx nALxnBAxu Therefore, we see that the initial displacement f (x) needs to be a Fourier sine series.

10 Since f (x) can be an arbitrary function, this usually means that we need to expand it into its odd periodic extension (of period 2L). The coefficients An are then found by the relation An = bn, where bn are the corresponding Fourier sine coefficients of f (x). That is ==LnndxLxnxfLbA0sin)(2 . Notice that the entire sequence of the coefficients An are determined exactly by the initial displacement. They are completely independent of the other sequence of coefficients Bn, which are determined solely by the Second initial condition, the initial (vertical) velocity of the string.