- #1
makris
- 11
- 0
Consider a function U(x,y) where x, and y are spatial variables (have units of length)
Assume that the symbol V^2 corresponds to the Laplacian operator.
Then V^2U= Uxx + Uyy where the subscript indicates partial differentiation.
Consider now a function F(x,t) where x is spatial variable (has units of length) and t is a temporal variable (has units of time)
I found quite surprising that the action of the Laplacian on this new function is a little bit different than previously.
V^2F= Fxx
Could you please give me a hint as to why does this happen? Why
V^2F= Fxx + Ftt is incorrect?
What springs to mind is that Ftt has units of acceleration and Fxx represents the concavity of F parallel to XX’ axis. So we cannot really add these two different quantities. Apart from this (which I am not if it is mathematically correct) do you have any other explanation?
Assume that the symbol V^2 corresponds to the Laplacian operator.
Then V^2U= Uxx + Uyy where the subscript indicates partial differentiation.
Consider now a function F(x,t) where x is spatial variable (has units of length) and t is a temporal variable (has units of time)
I found quite surprising that the action of the Laplacian on this new function is a little bit different than previously.
V^2F= Fxx
Could you please give me a hint as to why does this happen? Why
V^2F= Fxx + Ftt is incorrect?
What springs to mind is that Ftt has units of acceleration and Fxx represents the concavity of F parallel to XX’ axis. So we cannot really add these two different quantities. Apart from this (which I am not if it is mathematically correct) do you have any other explanation?