Unique Solutions for Vector Calculus Problem with Boundary Conditions

Join the discussion
Ask a follow-up here, or get your own question answered by working scientists, mathematicians and engineers — people, not an autocomplete.
Real named experts · corrections over time · the nuance an AI answer skips
1 reply · 2K views
Gregg
Messages
452
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement



## \gamma_1 ## and ##\gamma_2 ## are both real continuous solutions of ## \nabla^2 \gamma = \gamma ## in ## V## and ##\gamma_1=\gamma_2 ## on the boundary ##\partial V##. We are looking at the function ##g = \gamma_1 - \gamma_2 ##.

I have proved

##\nabla \cdot \left( g \nabla g) \right) = ||\nabla g||^2 + g\nabla^2 g## already. I used this to show that

##\int_V ||\nabla g||^2 dV + \int_{\partial V} g^2 dV = 0 ##

The question is: what does this say about the value of ##g=\gamma_1-\gamma_2 ## in ##V## and are the solutions unique for ##\nabla^2 \gamma = \gamma##?

Any help appreciated!
 
Last edited:
Physics news on Phys.org
If you can show g=constant then the solution is unique, within a constant (for dirichlet conditions it's obviously unique). Your first equation doesn't make sense, I think you mean to put g*laplacian(g). Also, if you managed to get rid of this term, your logic should probably also apply to the g^2 term on the boundary. Elaborate on what you've done at the boundary.