Solving the heat equation in 1D

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around solving the initial value problem for the heat equation in one dimension, specifically examining the application of the fundamental solution and initial conditions. Participants are exploring the implications of their approaches to the problem and the correctness of the proposed solutions.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the use of the fundamental solution and the integration of initial conditions in the context of the heat equation. There are attempts to derive expressions for the solution, with some participants questioning the validity of taking initial conditions outside the integral.

Discussion Status

There is an ongoing examination of the proposed solutions, with some participants expressing doubts about the correctness of the initial conditions applied in the integral. Questions about the convergence of integrals and the assumptions made during the derivation are also being raised.

Contextual Notes

Participants are operating under the constraints of homework rules, which may limit the information they can share or the methods they can use. There is also a noted uncertainty regarding the convergence of certain integrals, which remains unaddressed in the discussion.

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Homework Statement
solve the heat equation and the Burger's equation.
Relevant Equations
$$\begin{cases}
\partial_t\phi-\partial^2_x\phi=0 & \text{in}\quad (0,\infty)\times R \\ \phi(0,\cdot)=\psi & \text{on}\quad \{t=0\}\times R
\end{cases}$$
Screen Shot 2021-03-25 at 11.51.48 PM.png

(3) To solve the initial value problem
$$\begin{cases}
\partial_t\phi-\partial^2_x\phi=0 & \text{in}\quad (0,\infty)\times R \\ \phi(0,\cdot)=\psi & \text{on}\quad \{t=0\}\times R
\end{cases}$$
we use the fundamental solution in 1D $$\Phi_1(t,x)=\frac{1}{\sqrt{4\pi t}}exp\Big(-\frac{x^2}{4t}\Big)$$ and the formula
$$\phi(t,x)=\int_R\Phi(t,x-y)u_0(y)dy$$
and
$$\psi=exp\Big(-\int\frac{g(x)}{2}dx\Big)$$
to give
$$\phi(t,x)=exp\Big(-\int\frac{g(x)}{2}dx\Big)\int_R\Big[ \frac{1}{\sqrt{4\pi t}}exp\Big(-\frac{(x-y)^2}{4t}\Big)\Big]dy$$By the definition of the fundamental solution ##\Phi##, the above integral converges to ##1## giving $$\phi(t,x) =exp\Big(-\int\frac{g(x)}{2}dx\Big)$$
(4) The solution ##u## of the Burger's equation with viscosity is given by the substitution formula
$$u(t,x)=\frac{-2}{\phi(t,x)}\partial_x\phi(t,x)$$
$$=\frac{-2}{exp\Big(-\int\frac{g(x)}{2}dx\Big)}\partial_x\Big[ exp\Big(-\int\frac{g(x)}{2}dx\Big)\Big]$$
$$=2\partial x \Big[\int\frac{g(x)}{2}dx\Big]=\boxed{g(x)}$$
 
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Your ##\phi## is not a solution to the heat equation. Note that when you solve the heat equation you need to insert the initial condition as a function of the integration variable. This will mean that you cannot take it outside the integral in the fashion you have done.
 
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Orodruin said:
Your ##\phi## is not a solution to the heat equation. Note that when you solve the heat equation you need to insert the initial condition as a function of the integration variable. This will mean that you cannot take it outside the integral in the fashion you have done.

Thanks! after some sleep, I go through the problem again to find the same answer by chance.

(3) To solve the following initial value problem
$$\begin{cases}
\partial_t\phi-\partial^2_x\phi=0 & \text{in}\quad (0,\infty)\times R \\ \phi(0,\cdot)=\psi & \text{on}\quad \{t=0\}\times R
\end{cases}$$
we use the fundamental solution in 1D $$\Phi_1(t,x)=\frac{1}{\sqrt{4\pi t}}exp\Big(-\frac{x^2}{4t}\Big)$$ and the formula
$$\phi(t,x)=\int_R\Phi(t,x-y)u_0(y)dy$$
and
$$ \phi(0,x)=exp(-\int\frac{g}{2}dx)=\boxed{ C\cdot exp\big({{-\frac{G(x)}{2}}\big)}}$$
to give
$$\phi(t,x)=\int_R\Big[ \frac{1}{\sqrt{4\pi t}}exp\Big(-\frac{(x-y)^2}{4t}\Big)\cdot C\cdot exp\Big({-\frac{G(y)}{2}}\Big)\Big]dy$$
$$=C\cdot\int_R\Big[ \frac{1}{\sqrt{4\pi t}} exp\Big(-\frac{(x-y)^2}{4t}-\frac{G(y)}{2}\Big)\Big]dy$$
The above integral converges to (hope no one asks me how i know this)
$$\phi(t,x)=C\cdot exp\Big(-\frac{G(y)}{2}\Big)$$
(4) The solution ##u## of the Burger's equation with viscosity is given by the substitution formula
$$u(t,x)=\frac{-2}{\phi(t,x)}\partial_x\phi(t,x)$$
$$\Rightarrow\frac{-2}{C\cdot exp\Big(-\frac{G(y)}{2}\Big)}\partial_x\Big[ C\cdot exp\Big(-\frac{G(y)}{2}\Big)\Big]$$
$$=2\cdot \partial x \Big[-\frac{G(y)}{2}+C\Big]\Rightarrow\boxed{u(t,x)=g(x)}$$
 
docnet said:
The above integral converges to (hope no one asks me how i know this)
How do you know this? 😏
 

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