Quick Integral Stuck, context: bounded Energy, solitons

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around integrating a specific expression related to bounding energy in the context of solitons, particularly using the Bogomolnyi argument. The integral involves the function \( u \) and its derivative, with a focus on the limits of integration and the physical interpretation of the variables involved.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Conceptual clarification

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore the integration process and question the appropriateness of the limits of integration after a substitution. There is discussion about the physical meaning of the variables \( x \) and \( u \), and whether \( u \) is a known function of \( x \). Some participants suggest that the bounds may need to be clarified or adjusted based on the substitution made.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing with participants raising questions about the correct interpretation of the integral's bounds and the physical context of the variables. There is no explicit consensus on the correct approach, but several participants are engaging with the problem and providing insights into the assumptions being made.

Contextual Notes

There is uncertainty regarding the definitions of the variables and the implications of the substitution on the limits of integration. Participants are also considering the implications of the function \( u \) being dependent on both \( x \) and \( t \), which affects the evaluation of the integral.

binbagsss
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Homework Statement



Integrating ##^{\frac{\pi}{2}}\int_{\frac{-\pi}{2}}(1-u^{2})^\frac{1}{2}u_{x}dx##, and using the result : ##\int(1-u^{2})^{\frac{1}{2}}=\frac{1}{2}u(1-u^{2})^{\frac{1}{2}}+\frac{1}{2}arcsin(u)##

Homework Equations



I'm pretty sure it is just the integral itself were I am going to wrong. But to provide context, just in case, it is a bounding the energy question using the Bogomolnyi argument from a soliton course. Here's the two lines, I am just stuck on how we get from the top line to the last, so the 2nd term in both lines.

##E \geq \frac{1}{2}(u_{x}\pm(1-u^{2})^{\frac{1}{2}})^{2}dx \mp (1-u^{2})^\frac{1}{2} u_{x} dx ##
## = \frac{1}{2}(u_{x}\pm(1-u^{2})^{\frac{1}{2}})^{2}dx \mp [\frac{1}{2}u(1-u^{2})^{\frac{1}{2}}+\frac{1}{2}arcsin(u)]^{\frac{\pi}{2}}_{\frac{-\pi}{2}} ##

The Attempt at a Solution



Using ##dx=dx/du * du ## I see how we can replace ##u_{x} dx## with ##du## and so this allows us to use the result provided, BUT surely then the limits too need changing - to ##\pm 1 ##?

Thanks in advance.
 
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It would help to know what x and u refer to physically here.
In general, bounds on an integral should specify the variable. They don't have to be values of the variable of integration, but if the variable is omitted then it would be usual that the variable of integration is the implied one. If the author intended that the bounds still refer to x after the substitution then that should be made clear. So it might not be wrong, just sloppy. It depends what happens later.
 
haruspex said:
It would help to know what x and u refer to physically here.
In general, bounds on an integral should specify the variable. They don't have to be values of the variable of integration, but if the variable is omitted then it would be usual that the variable of integration is the implied one. If the author intended that the bounds still refer to x after the substitution then that should be made clear. So it might not be wrong, just sloppy. It depends what happens later.

u is the height of the soliton wave. u=u(x,t).
 
binbagsss said:
u is the height of the soliton wave. u=u(x,t).
OK, so clearly the limits shown refer to x values. What is the next step in the text? Are the right bounds used for u?
 
haruspex said:
OK, so clearly the limits shown refer to x values. What is the next step in the text? Are the right bounds used for u?
The next step is getting the answer to be 1, for this part of the integral I am talking about. Whereas I'm thinkin it's arcsin(pi/2) - arcsin(-pi/2) not arcsin(1)-arcsin(-1)...(all divided by 2). cheers.
 
binbagsss said:
The next step is getting the answer to be 1, for this part of the integral I am talking about. Whereas I'm thinkin it's arcsin(pi/2) - arcsin(-pi/2) not arcsin(1)-arcsin(-1)...(all divided by 2). cheers.
Is u a known function of x? I assumed not. So the correct expression should be ##\arcsin(u(\frac{\pi}{2},t)) - \arcsin(etc.)##, no? But without knowing how u at those points we can go no further.
 
haruspex said:
Is u a known function of x? I assumed not. So the correct expression should be ##\arcsin(u(\frac{\pi}{2},t)) - \arcsin(etc.)##, no? But without knowing how u at those points we can go no further.
Yes, that's what I thought, so you get arcsin(1)- arcsin(-1) not arcsin(pi/2)-arcsin(-pi/2) which gives the right answer.
 
binbagsss said:
Yes, that's what I thought, so you get arcsin(1)- arcsin(-1) not arcsin(pi/2)-arcsin(-pi/2) which gives the right answer.
I'm not sure which you are saying is the right answer, and I'm not saying it gives either of those two answers.
To me,it gives ##\arcsin(u(\frac{\pi}2),t))## etc. If you know by some means that ##u(\frac{\pi}2,t)## = 1 then you get arcsin(1), i.e. pi/2.

arcsin(pi/2) looks most unlikely.
 

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