Heat diffusion in a spherical shell

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on solving the time-dependent diffusion equation for a spherical shell with inner and outer constant temperatures. The equation is given by ##D\nabla^2 T(r,t)=\frac{\partial T}{\partial t}##, where ##D## is the diffusion constant and ##T(r,t)## is the temperature function. The solution involves separating variables to yield equations for the radial and time-dependent parts, leading to a complete solution expressed as $$T(r,t) = \sum\limits_n [A_n j_0(k_n r) + B_n n_0(k_n r)]e^{-k^2_n DT} + T_0$$. The challenge lies in determining the coefficients ##A_n##, ##B_n##, and ##k_n##, particularly due to the hollow nature of the sphere.

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  • Understanding of the time-dependent diffusion equation
  • Familiarity with spherical Bessel functions, specifically ##j_0## and ##n_0##
  • Knowledge of boundary and initial conditions in differential equations
  • Proficiency in variable separation techniques in partial differential equations
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tadi
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Hey guys, I have a problem that is giving me trouble.

Homework Statement



I have to solve time dependent diffusion equation ##D\nabla^2 T(r,t)=\frac{\partial T}{\partial t}## (##D## is diffusion constant and ##T(r,t)## is temperature function) for a spherical shell of radii ##r_1## and ##r_2## in a where inner and outer temperatures are constant at ##T_0## as shown in the picture, with initial condition ##T(r_1<r<r_2,t=0)=T_1##. Since problem is spherically symmetrical function ##T## is not dependent on asimutal and polar angle.
COnUOfd.png


Homework Equations



By separating the variables (##T(r,t)=R(r)\tau (t)##) we obtain two equations:
$$\nabla^2 R(r) + k^2 R(r) = 0$$
$$\frac{\partial \tau(t)}{\partial t}\frac{1}{\tau(t)} = - k^2 D$$
For time dependent part we get ##\tau(t)=C e^{-k^2DT}## and for the radial part a linear combination of spherical bessel functions of first (##j_0##) and second type (##n_0##) (only 0-th order because of symmetry) $$R(r) = \sum\limits_n [A_n j_0(k_n r) + B_n n_0(k_n r)]$$

Complete solution can then be written as:
$$T(r,t) = \sum\limits_n [A_n j_0(k_n r) + B_n n_0(k_n r)]e^{-k^2_n DT} + T_0,$$
with initial condition $$T(r_1<r<r_2,t=0)=T_1,$$
and boundary conditions $$ T(r=r_1,t)=T(r=r_2,t)=T_0$$

The Attempt at a Solution



I don't know how to get coefficients ##A_n##, ##B_n## and ##k_n##. I tried getting ##k_n## from zeroes of spherical bessel function ##j_0## but since the center of sphere is hollow I must not set ##B_n## to zero as I would in the case of a full sphere.

I can't seem to get any further than this and would appreciate any suggestion. Thanks for the help.
 
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At each value of n, the term in brackets must be zero at the two boundaries. This leads to two equations in two unknowns, for kn and Bn/An.

Chet
 
Since you have a problem without angular dependence, I also suggest using the fact that ##j_0(x) \propto \sin x / x## and ##n_0(x) \propto \cos x / x##. This will let you work with trigonometric functions that you know rather than the spherical bessel functions.
 

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