Help using Green’s functions in solving Differential Equations please

In summary, the conversation included difficulties with tasks related to the Green function and solving differential equations using it. The summary also mentioned the use of partial integration and convolution as potential solutions to the tasks.
  • #1
Lambda96
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Homework Statement
see post
Relevant Equations
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Hi,

unfortunately I have several problems with the following task:

Bildschirmfoto 2023-07-06 um 10.52.15.png


Bildschirmfoto 2023-07-06 um 10.52.41.png


I have problems with the tasks a, d and e

Unfortunately, the Green function and solving differential equations with the Green function is completely new to me

In task b, I got the following for ##f_h(t)=e^{-at}##.Task a

$$\hat{L}G(t)=\Bigl( \frac{d}{dt} +a \Bigr) \Theta(t) f_h(t)$$
$$\hat{L}G(t)=\frac{d}{dt}\Theta(t) f_h(t) +a \Theta(t) f_h(t)$$
$$\hat{L}G(t)=\delta(t) f_h(t) + \Theta(t) f'_h(t) +a \Theta(t) f_h(t)$$
$$\hat{L}G(t)=\delta(t) f_h(t) -a \Theta(t) f_h(t) +a \Theta(t) f_h(t)$$
$$\hat{L}G(t)=\delta(t) f_h(t)$$

Can I now argue as follows that ##\hat{L}G(t)=\delta(t)## so when I multiply the operator by the Green function, I always get only one value. Then the following ##\delta(t)=\delta(0)## applies, so it follows that ##\delta(t) f_h(t)=\delta(0) f_h(0)## and since ##f_h(0)=1## only ##\delta(t)## remains on the left side of the equationTask d

I assumed that I should calculate the following integral.

$$\tilde{G}(\omega)= \int_{-\infty}^{\infty} dt \ e^{i \omega t} \hat{L} G(t) $$
$$ \tilde{G}(\omega)=\int_{-\infty}^{\infty} dt \ e^{i \omega t} \frac{d}{dt} G(t) +e^{i \omega t} a G(t) $$
$$ \tilde{G}(\omega)=\int_{-\infty}^{\infty} dt \ e^{i \omega t} \frac{d}{dt} G(t) +\int_{-\infty}^{\infty} dt \ e^{i \omega t} a G(t) $$

I then applied partial integration for the first integral

$$ \tilde{G}(\omega)=\biggl[ e^{i \omega t} G(t) \biggr]_{-\infty}^{\infty}-\int_{-\infty}^{\infty} dt \ i \omega e^{i \omega t} G(t) +\int_{-\infty}^{\infty} dt \ e^{i \omega t} a G(t) $$

Now, unfortunately, I don't get any further and I can't do anything with the hint from the task at the moment.
Task e

I thought that a solution may look like the following.

$$ f(t)= \int_{0}^{t} G(t)g(t) dt $$

I then calculated the following integral

$$ f(t)= \int_{0}^{t} G(t)g(t) dt $$
$$ f(t)= \int_{0}^{t} e^{-at} e^{2at} dt $$
$$ f(t)= \frac{e^{at} -1}{a}$$

If I substitute this ##f(t)## into ##\hat{L}f(t)##, I get ##2e^{at}-2## but I should get ##e^{2at}##.
 
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  • #2
Lambda96 said:
Task a

$$\hat{L}G(t)=\Bigl( \frac{d}{dt} +a \Bigr) \Theta(t) f_h(t)$$
$$\hat{L}G(t)=\frac{d}{dt}\Theta(t) f_h(t) +a \Theta(t) f_h(t)$$
$$\hat{L}G(t)=\delta(t) f_h(t) + \Theta(t) f'_h(t) +a \Theta(t) f_h(t)$$
$$\hat{L}G(t)=\delta(t) f_h(t) -a \Theta(t) f_h(t) +a \Theta(t) f_h(t)$$
$$\hat{L}G(t)=\delta(t) f_h(t)$$
Just use the property ##f(t)\delta(t) = f(0)\delta(t)##.

Lambda96 said:
Task d

I assumed that I should calculate the following integral.
The problem said to take the Fourier transform of the differential equation.

Lambda96 said:
Task e

I thought that a solution may look like the following.

$$ f(t)= \int_{0}^{t} G(t)g(t) dt $$
Look up convolution.
 
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  • #3
Thanks vela for your help 👍👍👍, with your tips I could solve the tasks now :smile:
 
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FAQ: Help using Green’s functions in solving Differential Equations please

What are Green's functions in the context of differential equations?

Green's functions are a powerful tool used to solve inhomogeneous differential equations. Essentially, they act as the "impulse response" of a differential operator. Given a linear differential operator L and a delta function δ(x - x'), the Green's function G(x, x') satisfies L[G(x, x')] = δ(x - x'). Once the Green's function is known, it can be used to construct the solution to the differential equation for any given source term.

How do you construct a Green's function for a given differential operator?

Constructing a Green's function generally involves solving the differential equation L[G(x, x')] = δ(x - x') subject to appropriate boundary conditions. This often requires splitting the domain into regions where the solution can be matched at the point x = x'. The process typically involves solving the homogeneous equation in each region and then applying continuity and jump conditions at the point of the delta function.

What are the common applications of Green's functions?

Green's functions are widely used in various fields of physics and engineering. They are particularly useful in solving problems in electromagnetism, quantum mechanics, acoustics, and heat conduction. In each of these fields, Green's functions help to solve boundary value problems and initial value problems by transforming complex differential equations into simpler integral equations.

How does the concept of symmetry simplify finding Green's functions?

Symmetry can greatly simplify the process of finding Green's functions. If the differential operator and the boundary conditions possess certain symmetries, these can be exploited to reduce the complexity of the problem. For instance, in problems with spherical or cylindrical symmetry, the Green's function can often be expressed in terms of simpler functions like spherical harmonics or Bessel functions, making the solution process more straightforward.

Can Green's functions be used for non-linear differential equations?

Green's functions are primarily a tool for linear differential equations. For non-linear differential equations, the superposition principle, which is fundamental to the use of Green's functions, does not hold. However, in some cases, techniques like linearization around a known solution can allow for the use of Green's functions as an approximation. For genuinely non-linear problems, other methods such as numerical simulations are typically required.

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