Why are there 2 cosines used in the general solution for this domain?

In summary, the conversation discusses the domain and boundary conditions for the function \(\phi(x,y)\) and how to solve for it using a change of variables and Fourier series. The final solution for \(\phi(x,y)\) is given as \[\phi(x,y)=\frac{1}{2\pi}\int_0^{\infty}\int_{-\infty}^{\infty}\frac{\sinh(u(b-y))}{\sinh(ub)}f(\xi)\cos(u(\xi-x))d\xi du\]
  • #1
Dustinsfl
2,281
5
The domain is \(0\leq x < \infty\) and \(0\leq y\leq b\).
\begin{align*}
\phi(x, 0) &= f(x)\\
\phi(x, b) &= 0
\end{align*}
I want to show that
\[
\phi(x, y) = \frac{1}{\pi}\int_0^{\infty} \int_{-\infty}^{\infty}f(\xi) \frac{\sinh[u(b - y)]}{\sinh(ub)} \cos[u(\xi - x)]d\xi du
\]
Why isn't the periodic function cosine used on y? How should this be started then?
 
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  • #2
Question is at the bottom in red.
Our boundary conditions on \(x\) are
\[
\lim_{x\to\pm\infty}\phi(x, y) = 0.
\]
Let \(\phi(x, y) = \varphi(x)\psi(y)\).
Then \(\frac{\varphi''}{\varphi} = - \frac{\psi''}{\psi} = -k^2\).
\begin{align}
\varphi(x) &\sim\left\{\cos(kx), \sin(kx)\right\}\\
\psi(y) &\sim\left\{\cosh(ky), \sinh(ky)\right\}
\end{align}
From the boundary conditions on \(y\), we see that we need to make a change of
variables.
That is, \(y\to b - y^*\); however, since the choice of variables are
arbitrary, let the change of variable be \(b - y\).
So we have is
\[
\psi(y) \sim\left\{\cosh(k(b - y)), \sinh(k(b - y))\right\}.
\]
Using the boundary condition \(\phi(x, b) = 0\), we have that
\[
\psi(y) \sim\sinh(k(b - y)).
\]
The general solution is then
\begin{alignat}{2}
\phi(x, y) &= \int_0^{\infty}\left[A(k)\cos(kx) + B(k)\sin(kx)\right]
\sinh(k(b - y))dk\\
\phi(x, 0) &= \int_0^{\infty}\left[A(k)\cos(kx) + B(k)\sin(kx)\right]
\sinh(kb)dk && ={} f(x)
\end{alignat}
Let \(A^*(k) = A(k)\sinh(kb)\) and \(B^*(k) = B(k)\sinh(kb)\),
and let's multiple through by \(\cos(k'x)\).
\begin{alignat}{2}
\phi(x, 0) &= \int_{-\infty}^{\infty}\int_0^{\infty}
\left[A^*(k)\cos(kx)\cos(k'x) + B^*(k)\sin(kx)\cos(k'x)\right]dkdx
&& ={} \int_{-\infty}^{\infty}f(x)\cos(k'x)dx\\
\phi(x, 0) &= \int_0^{\infty}\int_{-\infty}^{\infty}
A^*(k)\cos(kx)\cos(k'x)dxdk && ={} \int_{-\infty}^{\infty}f(x)\cos(k'x)dx
\end{alignat}
Note that \(\cos(kx)\cos(k'x) = \frac{1}{2}\left[\cos(x\Delta k) +
\cos[x(k + k')]\right]\).
From class, we know that the integral of \(\cos[x(k + k')]\) is zero.
\begin{align}
\int_{-\infty}^{\infty}\cos(kx)\cos(k'x)dx &=
\int_{0}^{\infty}\cos(x\Delta k)dx\\
&= \mathcal{R}e
\left\{\int_0^{\infty}\exp\left[(i\Delta k - \eta)x\right]dx\right\}\\
&= \mathcal{R}e\left\{\left.
\frac{\exp\left[(i\Delta k - \eta)x\right]}
{i\Delta k - \eta}\right|_0^{\infty}\right\}\\
&= \mathcal{R}e\left\{\frac{1}{-i\Delta k + \eta}\right\}\\
&= \frac{\eta}{\eta^2 + (\Delta k)^2}
\end{align}
In class, we have shown that
\(\frac{\eta}{\eta^2 + (\Delta k)^2} = \pi\delta(k - k')\).
Therefore, we have that
\[
\int_{-\infty}^{\infty}\cos(kx)\cos(k'x)dx = \pi\delta(k - k').
\]
Now we have that
\[
\phi(x, 0) = \pi\int_0^{\infty}A^*(k)\delta(k - k')dk = \int_{-\infty}^{\infty}f(x)\cos(k'x)dx
\]
The integral \(\int_0^{\infty}A^*(k)\delta(k - k')dk = A^*(k')\) so
\begin{align}
A^*(k') &= \frac{1}{\pi}\int_{-\infty}^{\infty}f(x)\cos(k'x)dx\\
A(k) &= \frac{1}{\pi\sinh(kb)}\int_{-\infty}^{\infty}f(x')\cos(kx')dx'
\end{align}
Now we can write the general solution \cref{lapgensoln} as
\[
\phi(x, y) = \frac{1}{\pi}\int_0^{\infty}\int_{-\infty}^{\infty}
\frac{\sinh(k(b - y))}{\sinh(kb)}f(x')\cos(kx)\cos(kx')dx'dk.
\]
Again we have that \(\cos(kx)\cos(kx') = \frac{1}{2}\left[\cos(k(x' - x)) +
\cos(k(x' + x))\right]\) and \(\cos(k(x' + x))\) integrates out to zero.
Let \(x' = \xi\) and \(k = u\).
Then the solution is
\[
\phi(x, y) = \frac{1}{2\pi}\int_0^{\infty}\int_{-\infty}^{\infty}
\frac{\sinh(u(b - y))}{\sinh(ub)}f(\xi)\cos(u(\xi - x))d\xi dk.
\]
I have an extra factor of 1/2. Where am I missing a factor of 2?
 
Last edited:

Related to Why are there 2 cosines used in the general solution for this domain?

1. What is a Laplace semi-infinite domain?

A Laplace semi-infinite domain is a mathematical concept that describes a region that extends infinitely in one direction and is bounded by a finite boundary in the opposite direction. This type of domain is often used in physics and engineering to model situations where there is an infinite amount of space in one direction, but a physical boundary in the other.

2. How is a Laplace semi-infinite domain different from a regular Laplace domain?

In a regular Laplace domain, the boundaries extend to infinity in all directions. In a semi-infinite domain, the boundaries only extend to infinity in one direction, while being finite in the opposite direction. This allows for different boundary conditions and solutions to the Laplace equation.

3. What is the Laplace equation and how is it used in a semi-infinite domain?

The Laplace equation is a partial differential equation that describes the distribution of a scalar field in a given region. In a semi-infinite domain, the Laplace equation is used to find the solution for the scalar field that satisfies the given boundary conditions at the finite boundary and goes to zero at infinity.

4. What are some real-world applications of Laplace semi-infinite domains?

Laplace semi-infinite domains are commonly used in physics and engineering to model heat and mass transfer, diffusion processes, and electrostatics. They can also be applied in geophysics to study the propagation of seismic waves in the Earth's crust.

5. Are there any limitations to using a Laplace semi-infinite domain in modeling?

One limitation of using a Laplace semi-infinite domain is that it assumes the boundaries are perfectly flat and do not have any irregularities. This may not accurately reflect real-world situations. Additionally, the solutions to the Laplace equation in a semi-infinite domain may not be unique, making it necessary to carefully consider the boundary conditions and the physical system being modeled.

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