Eigenvalues and Eigenfunctions in Solving 2D Wave Equation in a Circle

In summary, the conversation discusses solving a 2D wave equation in a circle with given initial and boundary conditions. The solution involves two double sums and two constants, and using the initial conditions to solve for the constants. However, the initial condition ##u(t=0)=0## does not allow for the solution of either constant. The conversation also touches on using energy requirements and solvability conditions, and the importance of considering the eigenvalues and eigenfunctions carefully.
  • #1
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Homework Statement


Solve 2D wave eq. ##u_tt=c^2 \nabla^2u## in a circle of radius ##r=a## subject to $$u(t=0)=0\\
u_t(t=0)=\beta(r,\theta)\\u_r(r=a)=0\\$$and then symmetry for ##u_\theta(\theta=\pi)=u_\theta(\theta=-\pi)## and ##u(\theta=\pi)u(\theta=-\pi)##.

Homework Equations


Lot's I'm sure.

The Attempt at a Solution


So I find a solution for ##u## after applying the above boundary conditions where I have two double sums and two constants to solve for. To solve for these, I use the initial conditions. However, ##u(t=0)=0## does not allow me to solve for either of the two constants since ##u(t=0)## vanishes. Thus I have one initial condition yet two constants, one for each double sum. Any ideas?

I was thinking since the boundary was not moving at ##r=a## perhaps there is some energy requirement solvability condition that should be satisfied but I don't know. Any ideas?
 
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  • #2
joshmccraney said:
However, u(t=0)=0u(t=0)=0u(t=0)=0 does not allow me to solve for either of the two constants since u(t=0)u(t=0)u(t=0) vanishes.
This is similar to saying you cannot solve for A in the equation A=0.
 
  • #3
Orodruin said:
This is similar to saying you cannot solve for A in the equation A=0.
Can you elaborate? I feel it's asking me to solve ##y=ax## given the line passes through ##(0,0)##.
 
  • #4
Why don't you write out what you have and what the condition you get is?
 
  • #5
joshmccraney said:
Can you elaborate? I feel it's asking me to solve ##y=ax## given the line passes through ##(0,0)##.
Actually, this is not what it is doing. It is asking you to solve ##x\vec e_1 + y\vec e_2 = 0## where ##\vec e_i## is a set of linearly independent basis vectors.
 
  • #6
Here is what i have!
 

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  • #7
Orodruin said:
Actually, this is not what it is doing. It is asking you to solve ##x\vec e_1 + y\vec e_2 = 0## where ##\vec e_i## is a set of linearly independent basis vectors.
I know, but this is how I see it though, so I need your help:oldbiggrin:
 
  • #8
joshmccraney said:
I know, but this is how I see it though, so I need your help:oldbiggrin:
So what would be the solution to that equation?
 
  • #9
Orodruin said:
So what would be the solution to that equation?
Equation (17) I think. But I only have one initial condition for both constants since the other vanishes ##u##!
 
  • #10
Just some comments:

  • Most of your solution is fine, but you forgot the inner derivative when doing the time derivative in the end.
  • Note that ##J_m(\sqrt{\lambda_{nm}} r) \cos(m\theta)## and ##J_m(\sqrt{\lambda_{nm}} r) \sin(m\theta)## are all linearly independent functions.
  • You have already used the initial condition ##u(r,\theta,0) = 0## correctly to get rid of the cosine terms in time.
  • You are missing the ##m = 0## term that leads to a constant function.
 
  • #11
To be honest, I would write the angular solution on the form ##e^{im\theta}## with ##m\in \mathbb Z## instead - even if these functions are complex and lead to complex coefficients. It is just much easier to keep track.

I would also save writing some square roots by exchanging ##\lambda_{nm}## for the appropriate expression in terms of the zeros of the Bessel function derivatives.
 
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  • #12
Orodruin said:
Just some comments:
  • Most of your solution is fine, but you forgot the inner derivative when doing the time derivative in the end.
Oops, totally spaced the chain rule!
Orodruin said:
  • Note that ##J_m(\sqrt{\lambda_{nm}} r) \cos(m\theta)## and ##J_m(\sqrt{\lambda_{nm}} r) \sin(m\theta)## are all linearly independent functions.
So in the ##u_t## initial condition are you suggesting I multiply by ##\cos(p \theta):p\in\mathbb{N}## and use orthogonality of cosine and sine to solve for ##A## and then multiply by ##\sin(p \theta):p\in\mathbb{N}## to find ##B##?
Orodruin said:
Just some comments:
  • You have already used the initial condition ##u(r,\theta,0) = 0## correctly to get rid of the cosine terms in time.
  • You are missing the ##m = 0## term that leads to a constant function.
Have I used this initial condition correctly though? Thinking about it now, if I consider the constant function for ##m=0## couldn't the time dependent cosine terms not vanish since those sums could add to the opposite of some arbitrary constant?
 
  • #13
joshmccraney said:
So in the ##u_t## initial condition are you suggesting I multiply by ##\cos(p \theta):p\in\mathbb{N}## and use orthogonality of cosine and sine to solve for ##A## and then multiply by ##\sin(p \theta):p\in\mathbb{N}## to find ##B##?

Well, ##p\in \mathbb N## for ##\cos(p\theta)## and ##p\in \mathbb N^+## for ##\sin(p\theta)##. You will also need the orthogonality relations for the Bessel functions.

joshmccraney said:
Have I used this initial condition correctly though? Thinking about it now, if I consider the constant function for ##m=0## couldn't the time dependent cosine terms not vanish since those sums could add to the opposite of some arbitrary constant?

Consider the eigenvalues carefully. If your eigenvalue is zero, the time solution will not be sines and cosines. Also, there are eigenfunctions of the form ##J_0(\sqrt{\lambda}r)## (for suitable choices of ##\lambda > 0##).
 
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  • #14
Orodruin said:
Well, ##p\in \mathbb N## for ##\cos(p\theta)## and ##p\in \mathbb N^+## for ##\sin(p\theta)##. You will also need the orthogonality relations for the Bessel functions.
Consider the eigenvalues carefully. If your eigenvalue is zero, the time solution will not be sines and cosines. Also, there are eigenfunctions of the form ##J_0(\sqrt{\lambda}r)## (for suitable choices of ##\lambda > 0##).
Thanks, I think you answered everything I had questions about!
 

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