Is wave and heat equation with zero boundary Poisson Equation?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the relationship between wave, heat, and Poisson equations, particularly in the context of boundary conditions. Participants explore whether the wave and heat equations can be treated as Poisson equations under certain conditions, and discuss methods for solving these equations with non-zero boundary conditions.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants question whether the wave and heat equations can be considered as Poisson equations when boundary conditions are set to zero.
  • Others assert that wave, diffusion, and Poisson equations are fundamentally different types of partial differential equations (PDEs), suggesting that while formal solutions can be attempted, they may lead to complex integral equations.
  • A participant proposes using superposition to solve linear problems, indicating that one can find a particular solution and add a homogeneous solution to satisfy the boundary conditions.
  • There is a discussion about the methodology for solving heat and wave problems with non-zero boundaries, with references to treating them similarly to Poisson problems.
  • Some participants express uncertainty about the relationship between different questions posed regarding boundary conditions and their implications for solving the equations.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the equivalence of the wave and heat equations to Poisson equations. There are multiple competing views regarding the applicability of superposition and the methods for solving these equations with non-zero boundary conditions.

Contextual Notes

Participants note that the treatment of boundary conditions and the classification of PDEs may depend on specific assumptions and definitions, which remain unresolved in the discussion.

yungman
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I have two questions:
(1)As the tittle, if [itex]u(a,\theta,t)=0[/itex], is
[tex]\frac{\partial{u}}{\partial {t}}=\frac{\partial^2{u}}{\partial {r}^2}+\frac{1}{r}\frac{\partial{u}}{\partial {r}}+\frac{1}{r^2}\frac{\partial^2{u}}{\partial {\theta}^2}[/tex]
and
[tex]\frac{\partial^2{u}}{\partial {t}^2}=\frac{\partial^2{u}}{\partial {r}^2}+\frac{1}{r}\frac{\partial{u}}{\partial {r}}+\frac{1}{r^2}\frac{\partial^2{u}}{\partial {\theta}^2}[/tex]
Just Poisson Equation
[tex]\nabla^2u=h(r,\theta,t)[/tex]
Where
[tex]h(r,\theta,t)=\frac{\partial{u}}{\partial {t}}\;\hbox { or }\;h(r,\theta,t)=\frac{\partial^2{u}}{\partial {t}^2}\;\hbox{ respectively.}[/tex](2)AND if [itex]u(a,\theta,t)=f(r,\theta,t)[/itex], then we have to use superposition of Poisson with zero boundary plus Dirichlet with [itex]u(a,\theta,t)=f(r,\theta,t)[/itex]?

That is

[tex]u(r,\theta,t)=u_1+u_2[/tex]
where
[tex]\nabla^2u_1=h(r,\theta,t)\;\hbox { with }\;u(a,\theta,t)=0[/tex]
and
[tex]\nabla^2u_2=0\;\hbox { with }\;u(a,\theta,t)=f(r,\theta,t)[/tex]

Thanks
 
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yungman said:
(1)As the tittle, if [itex]u(a,\theta,t)=0[/itex], is
[tex]\frac{\partial{u}}{\partial {t}}=\frac{\partial^2{u}}{\partial {r}^2}+\frac{1}{r}\frac{\partial{u}}{\partial {r}}+\frac{1}{r^2}\frac{\partial^2{u}}{\partial {\theta}^2}[/tex]
and
[tex]\frac{\partial^2{u}}{\partial {t}^2}=\frac{\partial^2{u}}{\partial {r}^2}+\frac{1}{r}\frac{\partial{u}}{\partial {r}}+\frac{1}{r^2}\frac{\partial^2{u}}{\partial {\theta}^2}[/tex]
Just Poisson Equation
[tex]\nabla^2u=h(r,\theta,t)[/tex]
Where
[tex]h(r,\theta,t)=\frac{\partial{u}}{\partial {t}}\;\hbox { or }\;h(r,\theta,t)=\frac{\partial^2{u}}{\partial {t}^2}\;\hbox{ respectively.}[/tex]


No. Wave, diffusion, and Poisson's equations are all fundamentally different kinds of PDEs (lookup classification or characteristics in one of your PDE books). However, you can pretend that [itex]h[/itex] is an arbitrary function and formally solve your first two equations. However, your "solution" will be in the form of an integral equation for [itex]u[/itex] (actually, the integral will contain time derivatives of [itex]u[/itex] ...). This kind of trick might be helpful if you have nice approximate/numerical techniques that work well for the integral equation; then again it might just lead to a different mess that you still do not know how to solve.

I'm not sure I understand question 2.

jason
 
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jasonRF said:
No. Wave, diffusion, and Poisson's equations are all fundamentally different kinds of PDEs (lookup classification or characteristics in one of your PDE books). However, you can pretend that [itex]h[/itex] is an arbitrary function and formally solve your first two equations. However, your "solution" will be in the form of an integral equation for [itex]u[/itex] (actually, the integral will contain time derivatives of [itex]u[/itex] ...). This kind of trick might be helpful if you have nice approximate/numerical techniques that work well for the integral equation; then again it might just lead to a different mess that you still do not know how to solve.

I'm not sure I understand question 2.

jason

Thanks for you reply. The reason I asked is when I look at the examples and exercises I see a definite relation where if the boundary is not zero, they use superposition of two where

(1) Assuming [itex]\frac{\partial{u}}{\partial {t}}\neq 0[/itex] and then solve it as if it's a Poisson problem with zero boundary.

(2) Assuming [itex]\frac{\partial{u}}{\partial {t}}=0[/itex] and then solve it as if it's a Dirichlet problem with non zero boundary.

The methodology is exactly the same as solving Poisson problem with non zero boundary.

The second part is just what I said above that solving Heat and Wave problem with non zero boundary is exactly like solving Poisson problem with non zero boundary.

Thanks
 
If this way of superposition technique might not work well with Heat and Wave problem, what is the standard way of solving Heat and Wave problems with non zero boundary?
 
Yes, you can use superposition to solve linear problems. We find a particular solution, then add an appropriate homogeneous solution such that the total solution satisfies the equation and all appropriate conditions.

I just didn't understand how (2) related to (1) ... or are they independent questions altogether?
jason
 
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jasonRF said:
Yes, you can use superposition to solve linear problems. We find a particular solution, then add an appropriate homogeneous solution such that the total solution satisfies the equation and all appropriate conditions.

I just didn't understand how (2) related to (1) ... or are they independent questions altogether?
jason

Thanks for the reply

(2) is just another way to say about non zero boundary [itex]u(a,\theta,t)=f(\theta, t)[/itex]. Which you already confirmed that the method of solving is using superposition just like solving Poisson problem with non zero boundary.

You answered all my questions:

1) That Heat and Wave equations are not Poisson equation.

2) The method of solving Heat and Wave with non zero boundary is by superposition of the homogeneous solution plus particular solution...Just like solving Poisson with non zero boundary.
 

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