Periodicity Conditions for Solving Laplace's Equation on a Wedge

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around solving Laplace's equation in a wedge-shaped domain characterized by a radius and a specific angle. The original poster is particularly focused on establishing appropriate periodicity conditions for the problem, drawing comparisons to circular geometries.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to understand how periodicity conditions apply to a wedge, questioning whether the conditions used for circular geometries can be directly applied or if modifications are necessary. Other participants inquire about the general polar solutions to Laplace's equation and the derivation of these solutions in the context of the wedge.

Discussion Status

The discussion is active, with participants exploring the implications of periodicity conditions on the radial parts of the wedge. Some guidance has been offered regarding the need for modifications to the solution, but there is no explicit consensus on the exact nature of these modifications or the derivation process.

Contextual Notes

Participants are grappling with the specifics of boundary conditions and the implications of Fourier series in the context of the wedge geometry, indicating potential constraints in their approach to the problem.

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I have a quick question about solving Laplace's equation for a wedge with radius a and angle 60º. I need to make the periodicity conditions correctly, so that I can have a reasonable problem to solve. For a circular ring you would simply say that the equation should not differ whether you come from the top or bottom, so that

[tex]u (r, \pi) = u(r, -\pi)[/tex]

for which the rates would have to be the same too

[tex]\frac{\partial u}{\partial \theta} (r, \pi) = \frac{\partial u}{\partial \theta} (r, -\pi)[/tex]

So, this is good because these periodicity conditions give the eigenfunctions
[tex]sin n\theta[/tex] and [tex]cos n \theta[/tex]

My question is whether this still holds for the wedge. Obviously anywhere on the circle it all still applies, but what about the radial parts of the wedge? Should those be treated with their own periodicity conditions? If so, would it just be that

u(r, 0) = u(r, pi/3)

But that worries me if it is so because that won't give nice eigenvalues and eigenfunctions for the radial parts.
 
Last edited:
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Are you aware of the general polar solutions to Laplace's equation?
 
Maybe I should have been more explicit, but that is exactly what I am wondering, if the general polar solution, which comes from periodicity, can still be applied such that

[tex]u(r, \theta) = a_0 + b_0 lnr + \sum_{n=1}^\infty [(a_n r^n + b_n r^{-n})(\alpha_n cosn\pi + \beta_n sinn\pi)][/tex]
 
The answer is indeed that some modifications have to be made. Do you know how that solution is derived?
 
Okay, that's what I thought made the most sense, but wanted to double check. I do know how it is derived, and I can easily do it, but no way am I going to post a page of LaTeX eqns. :p
 
:wink: Have fun
 
Ah crap, problem with the Fourier series, (I'm solving the boundary value problem of u(a,theta) = f(theta)) just make 2L = pi/3 such that -L = -pi/6 and L = pi/6?
 
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