2-D Poisson Equation Boundary Value Prob

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around solving the 2-D Poisson equation with specified boundary conditions. The participants are exploring the mathematical framework necessary for finding eigenfunctions and employing Fourier expansions in the context of boundary value problems.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Mathematical reasoning, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants are attempting to expand the function f(x,y) using Fourier series and are questioning the implications of boundary conditions on the solutions. There is also discussion about the form of the solutions and the relationship between the components of the Poisson equation.

Discussion Status

The discussion is active, with participants sharing their thoughts on the structure of the solution and the use of eigenfunctions. Some guidance has been provided regarding the formulation of particular and complementary solutions, but there remains uncertainty about the application of Fourier coefficients and the overall approach.

Contextual Notes

Participants are navigating the complexities of boundary conditions and the need for solutions to vanish at specific boundaries. There is an acknowledgment of the challenges posed by the inhomogeneous nature of the equation and the requirement for a systematic approach to finding eigenfunctions.

Chingon
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Homework Statement


Solve the equation:
2F/∂x2 + ∂2F/∂y2 = f(x,y)

Boundary Conditions:
F=Fo for x=0
F=0 for x=a
∂F/∂y=0 for y=0 and y=b


Homework Equations


How can I find Eigengunctions of F(x,y) for expansion along Y in terms of X?


The Attempt at a Solution


I can't imagine what the Fourier transform of the generic f(x,y) looks like. Once this is done I'm supposed to be left with an ODE which is solvable.
 
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Ok, so based on my boundary conditions, I think I have to expand f(x,y) as a double Fourier cosine expansion, so:

f(x,y)= 1/2Ʃ(C2cos(n∏x/a) + C3cos(n∏y/b)) + ƩƩC4cos(m∏x/a)cos(n∏y/b)

Also, I can let F(x,y)=u(x,y)=X(x)Y(y)

Plugging that into the original Poisson equation I end up with:
1/X(x)∂2X/∂x2 + 1/Y(y)∂2Y/∂y2 = f(x,y)/X(x)Y(y)

I think I'm doing something wrong by having the right-hand side of the Poisson equation equal to f(x,y)/F(x,y). It's also not clear to me if I can solve for any of the Fourier expansion coefficients or reduce the equation...
 
Ok, so since ∂F/∂y = 0, that means it has a homogeneous solution of the form
Y=Ʃcos(n∏y/(b/2)) correct?

So that would cancel out the Y terms in the Fourier Expansion of f(x,y)?
 
Chingon said:

Homework Statement


Solve the equation:
2F/∂x2 + ∂2F/∂y2 = f(x,y)

Boundary Conditions:
F=Fo for x=0
F=0 for x=a
∂F/∂y=0 for y=0 and y=b

As with inhomogeneous linear ODEs, Poisson's equation can be solved by taking a particular solution F_p with
<br /> \nabla^2 F_p = f(x,y)<br />
subject to F_p = 0 on the boundary, and adding a complimentary function F_c where
<br /> \nabla^2 F_c = 0<br />
subject to the given boundary conditions for F.

To find F_p, you will want to find a family of eigenfunctions \phi_{nm}(x,y) such that
<br /> \nabla^2 \phi_{nm} = k_{nm}\phi_{nm}<br />
and such that \phi_{nm} vanishes on the boundary. You can then take a linear combination of these so that
<br /> F_p(x,y) = \sum_{n}\sum_m A_{nm} \phi_{nm}(x,y)<br />
with the A_{nm} chosen so that \nabla^2 F_p = f(x,y).
 
Last edited:

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