Laplace Equation Separation of Variables in Three Dimensions (3D) A two-dimensional (2D) example

The method of separation of variables applied to Laplace Equation

The method of separation of variables applied to Laplace E

Laplace Equation Separation of Variables in Three Dimensions (3D) A two-dimensional (2D) example

Outline

Laplace Equation

Separation of Variables in Three Dimensions (3D)

A two-dimensional (2D) example

The method of separation of variables applied to Laplace E

Laplace Equation Separation of Variables in Three Dimensions (3D) A two-dimensional (2D) example

Laplace Equation
We know that the Laplace equation is 2 V = 0, where, in 3D Cartesian coordinates 2 with V (r) V (x , y , z ) specied on various boundaries. Boundary conditions may be V of the Dirichlet type (V speced) or of the Neumann kind ( n specied). Our aim is to develop a method based on the concept of the separation of variables to solve the Laplace equation, consistent with the boundary conditions. 2 2 2 + + x2 y2 z2 (1)

The method of separation of variables applied to Laplace E

Laplace Equation Separation of Variables in Three Dimensions (3D) A two-dimensional (2D) example

The method of separation of variables is based upon the conjecture (guess, tukka,...) that the solution can be written in the form V (x , y , z ) = X (x )Y (y )Z (z ), (2) where X (x ), Y (y ), and Z (z ) are, respectively, functions of the variables, x , y , and z , only. Separation of Variables implies the product form of V (x , y , z ). Substituting Eq. 2, the Laplace equation, we get ( = Y (y )Z (z ) d 2X d 2Y d 2Z + X ( x ) Z ( z ) + X ( x ) Y ( y ) =0 dx 2 dy 2 dz 2 (4) 2 2 2 + + )X (x )Y (y )Z (z ) = 0 x2 y2 z2 (3)

The method of separation of variables applied to Laplace E

Laplace Equation Separation of Variables in Three Dimensions (3D) A two-dimensional (2D) example

3D Separation of Variables, contd.

Note that partial derivatives have been replaced by total derivatives, why? This is because functions X (x ), Y (y ), and Z (z ) are functions of one variable only. On dividing Eq. 4 by V (x , y , z ) = X (x )Y (y )Z (z ), we obtain 1 d 2Y 1 d 2Z 1 d 2X + + =0 2 2 X dx Y dy Z dz 2 = 1 d 2X 1 d 2Y 1 d 2Z = X dx 2 Y dy 2 Z dz 2 (5)

Note that LHS of this equation depends only on x , while RHS on y and z . What does it mean?

The method of separation of variables applied to Laplace E

Laplace Equation Separation of Variables in Three Dimensions (3D) A two-dimensional (2D) example

3D separation of variables, contd.

Eq. 5 can be satised only if both sides are equal to the same constant, say, l 2 = 1 d 2X = l 2 X dx 2 and 1 d 2Z 1 d 2Y = l 2 2 Y dy Z dz 2 X equation becomes d 2X + l 2X = 0 dx 2 and Y and Z equation can be rewritten as 1 d 2Y 1 d 2Z = l2 Y dy 2 Z dz 2

The method of separation of variables applied to Laplace E

Laplace Equation Separation of Variables in Three Dimensions (3D) A two-dimensional (2D) example

3D separation of variables, contd.

Separation of variable argument leads to and 1 d 2Y = m2 Y dy 2

1 d 2Z l 2 = m2 , Z dz 2 d 2Y + m2 Y = 0 dy 2

where m2 is another constant. So that

and

d 2Z (l 2 + m2 )Z = 0 dz 2

The method of separation of variables applied to Laplace E

Laplace Equation Separation of Variables in Three Dimensions (3D) A two-dimensional (2D) example

3D separation of variables, contd.

Dening n2 = (l 2 + m2 ) we obtain d 2Z + n2 Z = 0 dz 2 Finally, we get three ordinary dierential equations in X , Y , and Z , in place of a partial dierential equation (PDE) d 2X + l 2X dx 2 d 2Y + m2 Y dy 2 d 2Z + n2 Z dz 2 where l 2 + m2 + n2 = 0. = 0 = 0 = 0

The method of separation of variables applied to Laplace E

Laplace Equation Separation of Variables in Three Dimensions (3D) A two-dimensional (2D) example

These three ordinary dierential equations (ODEs) can be solved, in conjunction with the boundary conditions.

The method of separation of variables applied to Laplace E

An Example in 2D

Figure : 2D Boundary conditions

We aim to solve for V = V (x , y ) satisfying the 2D Laplace equation 2V 2V + = 0, x2 y2 subject to boundary conditions above.

Laplace Equation Separation of Variables in Three Dimensions (3D) A two-dimensional (2D) example

2D Laplace eqn.
Use separation of variables conjecture V (x , y ) = X (x )Y (y ) in 2D Laplace equation to obtain 1 d 2X 1 d 2Y = = k 2 (say), X dx 2 Y dy 2 where k 2 is a constant. = d 2X dx 2 d 2Y dy 2 k 2 X = 0 +k 2 Y = 0 (6) (7)

The method of separation of variables applied to Laplace E

Laplace Equation Separation of Variables in Three Dimensions (3D) A two-dimensional (2D) example

Eqs. 6 and 7 subject to boundary conditions X (x = 0) = V0 , Y (y = 0) Eqs. 6 and 7 have solutions X (x ) = Ae kx + Be kx Y (y ) = C sin(ky ) + D cos(ky ) = X (x ) = 0 Y (y = a ) = 0

X (x ) = 0 = B = 0 Y (y = 0) = 0 = D = 0 Y (y = a) = 0 = sin(ka) = 0 = ka = n k kn = n /a

The method of separation of variables applied to Laplace E

Laplace Equation Separation of Variables in Three Dimensions (3D) A two-dimensional (2D) example

So most general solution satisfying the given BCs V (x , y ) = X (x )Y (y ) =

n=1

An e n x /a sin(n y /a),

where An are constants to be determined. Use the BC V (x = 0, y ) = V0 , for 0 y a. =

n =1

An sin(n y /a) = V0

Multilply both sides by sin(m y /a) (m is an integer) and integrated for 0 y a

n=1 a 0 a

An

sin(m y /a) sin(n y /a)dy = V0

sin(m y /a)dy
0

a Using 0 sin(m y /a) sin(n y /a)dy = (a/2)m,n , and a 0 sin(m y /a)dy = (1 cos(m ))(a/m )

The method of separation of variables applied to Laplace E

Laplace Equation Separation of Variables in Three Dimensions (3D) A two-dimensional (2D) example

Where m,n is called Kronecker delta and dened as m,n = 1, = 0, Using this, we get An = So that An =0
4V0 n

for m = n for m = n

2V0 (1 cos n ) n for even values of n for odd n

An =

Thus, the nal solution is V (x , y ) = 4 V0 1 n x /a e sin(n y /a) n=1,3,5,... n

The method of separation of variables applied to Laplace E