Dirichlet problem boundary conditions

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers on the Dirichlet problem, specifically addressing the boundary conditions required for solutions to the Poisson or Laplace equations in an open region of \(\mathbb{R}^n\). Participants explore the topology and differential structure relevant to the continuity of the solution function on the closure of the region.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant asserts that the topology for continuity of the function \(f\) on the closure \(\bar{S}\) is the subspace topology from \(\mathbb{R}^n\).
  • Another participant suggests that the issue extends beyond topology to differential structure, noting that differentiability implies continuity and indicating uncertainty about the topology involved.
  • A later reply reiterates the idea that the region \(S\) is an open set in \(\mathbb{R}^n\) with standard differential structure/topology and confirms the subspace topology on \(\bar{S}\).
  • Further contributions discuss the implications of local affine structures and the smooth structure of subsets of \(\mathbb{R}^n\), mentioning the existence of multiple smooth structures and their compatibility.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on whether the topology in question is solely the subspace topology or if it also involves considerations of differential structure. There is no consensus on the definitive nature of the topology or the implications of the smooth structure.

Contextual Notes

Some participants highlight that the discussion assumes familiarity with concepts such as differentiability, continuity, and smooth structures, which may not be universally understood. The implications of these concepts on the boundary conditions remain unresolved.

cianfa72
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TL;DR
About boundary conditions for Dirichlet problem.
The Dirichlet problem asks for the solution of Poisson or Laplace equation in an open region ##S## of ##\mathbb R^n## with a condition on the boundary ##\partial_S##.

In particular the solution function ##f()## is required to be two-times differentiable in the interior region ##S## and continuous on the boundary ##\partial_S##. The boundary condition specifies its value ##u## at each point on it, hence ##f=u## at the boundary ##\partial_S##.

Now my question is: which is the topology w.r.t one asks the function ##f## to be continuous in the closure ##\bar S## ? I believe it is the subspace topology on ##\bar S## from ##\mathbb R^n## as subset.

Is the above correct? Thanks.
 
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Id say that more than just topology, it's also an issue of Differential Structure, given you want your function to be (twice)differentiable. Given differentiability implies continuity, I suspect Differential Structure would be enough. I suspect you're dealing with the standard topology, but I'm not 100%.
 
WWGD said:
Id say that more than just topology, it's also an issue of Differential Structure, given you want your function to be (twice)differentiable. Given differentiability implies continuity, I suspect Differential Structure would be enough. I suspect you're dealing with the standard topology, but I'm not 100%.
Yes, as far as can I understand, the region where the PDE is solved is an open set ##S## of ##\mathbb R^n## endowed with standard differential structure/topology. Then we have boundary condition on the boundary ##\partial_S##.

The solution ##f## is required to be continuous on the closure ##\bar S##. So the question is: which is the topology on ##\bar S## w.r.t. it is closed anf ##f## is required to be continuous ? My answer: it is the subspace topology from the superset ##\mathbb R^n##.
 
Unless otherwise stated, when we speak of U \subseteq \mathbb{R}^n we mean the set together with its local affine structure (so that we can calculate derivatives) and the topology induced by the Euclidean inner product. If U \neq \mathbb{R}^n then the restriction to the subspace topology is implied.

The smooth structure is the maximal atlas which contains the charts (V, \mathrm{id}) where V is any open subset of U. (There are always at least two such structures, since (V, <br /> p \ni V \to \mathbb{R}^n : q \mapsto ((q_1 - p_1)^3,q_2 - p_2, \dots, q_n - p_n)) is not smoothly compatible with the identity chart.)
 
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pasmith said:
The smooth structure is the maximal atlas which contains the charts (V, \mathrm{id}) where V is any open subset of U. (There are always at least two such structures, since (V,<br /> p \ni V \to \mathbb{R}^n : q \mapsto ((q_1 - p_1)^3,q_2 - p_2, \dots, q_n - p_n)) is not smoothly compatible with the identity chart.)
You mean fixed a point ##p =(p_1, p_2 \dots p_n) \in V##, your map V \ni q \mapsto ((q_1 - p_1)^3,q_2 - p_2, \dots, q_n - p_n)) is not smoothly compatible with the identity map. However both structures are diffeomorphic (i.e. there exists a diffeomorphism between them).
 

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