2nd order nonlinear imaginary partial dif eqn

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around solving a second-order partial differential equation that includes an imaginary component. Participants explore various methods and approaches to tackle the equation, which involves real and imaginary parts, and they reference similar equations for context.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • Nick expresses difficulty in solving a second-order partial differential equation with an imaginary part and seeks assistance.
  • One participant suggests replacing Ω with Ω+iK and using polar form to find the square root.
  • Nick acknowledges an error in the original equation, indicating the omission of a variable 'u' and presents a revised equation for help.
  • Another participant proposes that Nick needs a particular solution to add to the general solution and suggests trying u = a constant.
  • Nick further elaborates on the complexity of the equation, indicating that it cannot be simplified to a standard ordinary differential equation due to the nature of the variables involved.
  • A participant discusses the solution to the equation, including the evaluation of the square root of i and how it affects the solution form.
  • Another participant retracts a previous suggestion related to the original problem and offers a different approach involving a constant 'A' in the equation.
  • Nick mentions that he resolved the original equation using non-dimensionalization, indicating that the velocity is unsteady and dependent on an oscillating pressure gradient.
  • A final participant suggests treating (i*ω-K)/ν as a single component in the equation.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants present multiple approaches and suggestions without reaching a consensus on the best method to solve the equation. The discussion remains unresolved with various competing views on how to proceed.

Contextual Notes

There are limitations regarding the assumptions made in the equations, the dependence on specific definitions, and the unresolved mathematical steps involved in the proposed solutions.

FD2010
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Hi all,

I am having a hard time solving a partial second order differential equation with an imaginary part. I basically took a much bigger function with real and imaginary parts and simplified it down to this. I also know the solution to a similar equation (shown in image). Any help would be appreciated!

Nick
 

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Welcome to PF!

Hi FD2010! Welcome to PF! :wink:

Can't you just replace Ω by Ω+iK (and use polar form to find the square-root) ? :smile:
 
I am terribly sorry but I wound up writing the original expression wrong. I was so hasty for help I had an error in the equation (I left out a u!). Here is what I am trying to solve (new image).

Any help is sincerely appreciated!

Nick
 

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Hi Nick! :wink:

in that case, you need a particular solution to add to the general solution you already have …

try u = a constant :smile:
 
FD2010 said:
I am terribly sorry but I wound up writing the original expression wrong. I was so hasty for help I had an error in the equation (I left out a u!). Here is what I am trying to solve (new image).

Any help is sincerely appreciated!

Nick

I don't see how you're getting all that unless the constants are eliminating the complex components of the solution. For starters, it's just one derivative so you could replace it with just an ODE.

[tex]u''-ku=0[/tex]

and keep in mind the i is just a constant and as long as you use correct complex-value arithmetic, it's just like real variables. So the solution to that is:

[tex]u(y)=c_1 e^{\sqrt{k}y}+c_2 e^{-\sqrt{k}y}[/tex]

however, that expression is already (implicitly) taking out the two values of the multi-valued square root. Now in the case of [itex]\sqrt{i}[/itex], it's best to explicitly evaluate the square root of i:

[tex]\sqrt{\frac{i\omega}{\nu}}=\sqrt{\omega/\nu}e^{\pi i/4}{, \sqrt{\omega/\nu}e^{-3\pi i/4}}[/tex]

then the solution with the i would be:

[tex]u(y)=c_1\text{exp}\left(y\sqrt{\omega/\nu}e^{\pi i/4}\right)+c_2\text{exp}\left(y\sqrt{\omega/\nu}e^{-3\pi i/4}\right)[/tex]

And if it was indeed a partial of say u(y,t), then the constants of integration would be functions of t and the solutions would be:

[tex]u(y,t)=c_1(t)\text{exp}\left(y\sqrt{\omega/\nu}e^{\pi i/4}\right)+c_2(t)\text{exp}\left(y \sqrt{\omega/\nu}e^{-3\pi i/4}\right)[/tex]
 
no, forget what i said about Ω + iK, that was for the (original) wrong problem …

just put u = A, then ∂2u/dy2 - (iΩ/ν)u + κ/ν = (-iΩA + κ)/ν :wink:
 
Sincere thanks for the help. I would go into detail about how I arrived at that very simple equation but it would take awhile.

I wound up having to solve the original equation I was working with using non-dimensionalization. u (a velocity in this case) was unsteady, and depended on a oscillating pressure gradient. Due to this, I couldn't just let du/dt go to 0 because u is not a constant. The result wound up being quite a mess, but I believe I'm good now.

Thanks again!
 
FD2010 said:
Hi all,

I am having a hard time solving a partial second order differential equation with an imaginary part. I basically took a much bigger function with real and imaginary parts and simplified it down to this. I also know the solution to a similar equation (shown in image). Any help would be appreciated!

Nick


Hi you can Take (i*omg-K)/v as one whole part(is omg).
 

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