CHM 410 Mathematical Modeling in Chemical Engineering First Semester, AY 2013-2014 Practice Exercises: PDEs and Method of Separation

of Variables 1. Classify the given partial differential equations as hyperbolic, parabolic or elliptic: (a) 3 (b)

2u 2 u 2u 5 0 x 2 xy y 2

(c) (d)

2u 2 u u 2 2 0 xy y x 2u 2u 9 x 2 xy

2u 2 u 2u 3 0 x 2 xy y 2

2. Show that the following equations can or cannot be reduced to two or more ordinary differential equations by the method of separation of variables: a) y

2u u 0 xy

b) a

2u 2u u 2 2k , k 0 2 x t t

c) x

2u 2 u 0 x 2 y 2

3. A uniform string stretched between x 0 and x L is set in motion with initial displacement y x ,0 f x and initial velocity y' x ,0 g x . Find the subsequent displacement of the string as a function of x and t. 4. Use separation of variables to solve

u 2u 2 2 subject to the boundary conditions t x u 0 ,t u ,t 0 and the initial condition u x ,0 sin 2 x .