Solve Laplace equation on unit disk

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on solving the Laplace equation on the unit disk with boundary data defined as $u(\theta) = \cos{\theta}$. The equation is expressed in polar coordinates as $u_{rr} + \frac{1}{r} u_r + \frac{1}{r^2} u_{\theta \theta} = 0$. Participants explore the method of separation of variables, leading to a system of equations for $R(r)$ and $\Theta(\theta)$. The solution for $\Theta(\theta)$ involves harmonic functions, particularly for $\lambda = -1$, which corresponds to the boundary condition. The discussion concludes with the assertion that the general solution can be constructed from the linear combination of solutions for different values of $\lambda$.

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  • Understanding of Laplace's equation in polar coordinates
  • Familiarity with boundary value problems and Dirichlet conditions
  • Knowledge of separation of variables technique
  • Basic concepts of Sturm-Liouville theory
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  • #31
I like Serena said:
Indeed.
Why should $c_2=0$? (Wondering)

Don't we have that $u(r, \theta)=\left( c_1 r+\frac{c_2}{r}\right) \cos{\theta}$ ?

And this $u(r, \theta)$ is only defined for $r=0$ if $c_2=0$... Or am I wrong? (Thinking)
 
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  • #32
evinda said:
Don't we have that $u(r, \theta)=\left( c_1 r+\frac{c_2}{r}\right) \cos{\theta}$ ?

And this $u(r, \theta)$ is only defined for $r=0$ if $c_2=0$... Or am I wrong?

Yes.

To be fair, now that I read the OP again, it doesn't say that $u$ has to be defined for $r=0$. (Thinking)
 
  • #33
I like Serena said:
Yes.

To be fair, now that I read the OP again, it doesn't say that $u$ has to be defined for $r=0$. (Thinking)

So we pick this solution:

$u(r, \theta)=\left( c_1 r+ \frac{c_2}{r}\right) \cos{\theta}+\epsilon \left( c_3 r^m+\frac{c_4}{r^m}\right) \cos{(m(\theta-\theta_0))}$

Right? (Thinking)

And can we just say that this is a little oscillation of the solution of the first problem? Or do we prove it somehow? (Wondering)
 
  • #34
evinda said:
So we pick this solution:

$u(r, \theta)=\left( c_1 r+ \frac{c_2}{r}\right) \cos{\theta}+\epsilon \left( c_3 r^m+\frac{c_4}{r^m}\right) \cos{(m(\theta-\theta_0))}$

Right?

Shall we make that:

$u(r, \theta)=\left( c_1 r+ \frac{1-c_1}{r}\right) \cos{\theta}+\epsilon \left( c_3 r^m+\frac{1-c_3}{r^m}\right) \cos{(m(\theta-\theta_0))}$

(Wondering)

evinda said:
And can we just say that this is a little oscillation of the solution of the first problem? Or do we prove it somehow?

Yes, we can just say that for a small oscillation, its amplitude $\epsilon$ is small, and then the contribution to the solution is also small. (Emo)
 

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