MTH166
Lecture-24
Solution of Wave Equation
Topic:
Solution of Partial Differential Equations
Learning Outcomes:
1. To solve one dimensional Wave Equation
2. D’ Alembert’s solution of infinitely long wave
𝝏𝟐 𝒖 𝝏 𝒖𝟐
Problem. Solve = 𝑪𝟐 𝟐 [1D-Wave Equation]; 𝒄𝟐 is Diffusivity constant.
𝝏𝒕𝟐 𝝏𝒙
Solution. The given one dimensional wave equation is:
𝜕2 𝑢 𝜕 𝑢 2
= 𝐶2 2 (1) 0 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 𝑙 (𝑙𝑒𝑛𝑔𝑡ℎ), 𝑡 > 0 (𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒)
𝜕𝑡 2 𝜕𝑥
Let solution be: 𝑢 𝑥, 𝑡 = 𝑋𝑇 (2) where 𝑋 = 𝑓 𝑥 , 𝑇 = 𝑔(𝑡)
𝜕2 𝑢 𝜕2 𝑢
⇒ = 𝑋𝑇 ′′ and = 𝑋 ′′ 𝑇
𝜕𝑡 2 𝜕𝑥 2
Equation (1) becomes: 𝑋𝑇 ′′ = 𝐶 2 𝑋 ′′ 𝑇
𝑋 ′′ 1 𝑇 ′′
⇒ = = 𝑘 (Say)
𝑋 𝐶2 𝑇
As 𝑘 can take three values: zero, positive or negative, so we have following three cases.
Case 1. When 𝑘 = 0
𝑋 ′′ 𝑋 ′′
=𝑘 ⇒ =0 ⇒ 𝑋 ′′ = 0 ⇒ 𝑋 = 𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏
𝑋 𝑋
1 𝑇 ′′ 1 𝑇 ′′
Also =𝑘 ⇒ =0 ⇒ 𝑇 ′′ = 0 ⇒ 𝑇 = 𝑐𝑡 + 𝑑
𝐶2 𝑇 𝐶2 𝑇
Required solution of equation (1) is:
𝑢 𝑥, 𝑡 = 𝑋𝑇 = (𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏)(𝑐𝑡 + 𝑑)
Case 2. When 𝑘 = 𝑝2 (Positive)
𝑋 ′′ 𝑋 ′′
=𝑘 ⇒ = 𝑝2 ⇒ 𝑋 ′′ − 𝑝2 𝑋 = 0
𝑋 𝑋
S.F. 𝐷2 − 𝑝2 𝑋 = 0
A.E. 𝐷2 − 𝑝2 = 0 ⇒ 𝐷 = ±𝑝
∴ 𝑋 = 𝑎𝑒 𝑝𝑥 + 𝑏𝑒 −𝑝𝑥
1 𝑇 ′′ 1 𝑇 ′′
Also =𝑘 ⇒ = 𝑝2 ⇒ 𝑇 ′′ − 𝐶 2 𝑝2 𝑇 = 0
𝐶2 𝑇 𝐶2 𝑇
S.F. 𝐷2 − 𝐶 2 𝑝2 𝑇 = 0
A.E. 𝐷2 − 𝐶 2 𝑝2 = 0 ⇒ 𝐷 = ±𝐶𝑝
∴ 𝑇 = 𝑐𝑒 𝐶𝑝𝑡 + 𝑑𝑒 −𝐶𝑝𝑡
Required solution of equation (1) is:
𝑢 𝑥, 𝑡 = 𝑋𝑇 = (𝑎𝑒 𝑝𝑥 + 𝑏𝑒 −𝑝𝑥 )(𝑐𝑒 𝐶𝑝𝑡 + 𝑑𝑒 −𝐶𝑝𝑡 )
or
𝑢 𝑥, 𝑡 = 𝑋𝑇 = (𝑎 cosh 𝑝𝑥 + 𝑏 sinh 𝑝𝑥)(𝑐 cosh 𝐶𝑝𝑡 + 𝑑 sinh 𝐶𝑝𝑡)
Case 3. When 𝑘 = −𝑝2 (Negative)
𝑋 ′′ 𝑋 ′′
=𝑘 ⇒ = −𝑝2 ⇒ 𝑋 ′′ + 𝑝2 𝑋 = 0
𝑋 𝑋
S.F. 𝐷2 + 𝑝2 𝑋 = 0
A.E. 𝐷2 + 𝑝2 = 0 ⇒ 𝐷 = ±𝑖𝑝
∴ 𝑋 = 𝑒 0𝑥 (𝑎 cos 𝑝𝑥 + 𝑏 sin 𝑝𝑥)
1 𝑇 ′′ 1 𝑇 ′′
Also =𝑘 ⇒ = −𝑝2 ⇒ 𝑇 ′′ + 𝐶 2 𝑝2 𝑇 = 0
𝐶2 𝑇 𝐶2 𝑇
S.F. 𝐷2 + 𝐶 2 𝑝2 𝑇 = 0
A.E. 𝐷2 + 𝐶 2 𝑝2 = 0 ⇒ 𝐷 = ±𝑖𝐶𝑝
∴ 𝑇 = 𝑒 0𝑡 (𝑐 cos 𝐶𝑝𝑡 + 𝑑 sin 𝐶𝑝𝑡)
Required solution of equation (1) is:
𝑢 𝑥, 𝑡 = 𝑋𝑇 = (𝑎 cos 𝑝𝑥 + 𝑏 sin 𝑝𝑥) (𝑐 cos 𝐶𝑝𝑡 + 𝑑 sin 𝐶𝑝𝑡)
This is the most suitable and practically feasible solution of wave equation.
Note: Wave Equation
𝜕2 𝑢 2
2
𝜕 𝑢
Equation: = 𝐶
𝜕𝑡 2 𝜕𝑥 2
Nature: Hyperbolic
Solution: 1. 𝑢 𝑥, 𝑡 = (𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏)(𝑐𝑡 + 𝑑)
2. 𝑢 𝑥, 𝑡 = (𝑎𝑒 𝑝𝑥 + 𝑏𝑒 −𝑝𝑥 )(𝑐𝑒 𝐶𝑝𝑡 + 𝑑𝑒 −𝐶𝑝𝑡 )
or
𝑢 𝑥, 𝑡 = (𝑎 cosh 𝑝𝑥 + 𝑏 sinh 𝑝𝑥)(𝑐 cosh 𝐶𝑝𝑡 + 𝑑 sinh 𝐶𝑝𝑡)
3. 𝑢 𝑥, 𝑡 = 𝑋𝑇 = (𝑎 cos 𝑝𝑥 + 𝑏 sin 𝑝𝑥) (𝑐 cos 𝐶𝑝𝑡 + 𝑑 sin 𝐶𝑝𝑡) (Most suitable one)
Polling Quiz
Which of the following is a one-dimensional wave equation?
𝜕𝑢 𝜕 2𝑢
(A) = 𝑐2 2
𝜕𝑡 𝜕𝑥
𝜕𝑢 2 𝜕2 𝑢 𝜕2 𝑢
(B) = 𝑐 +
𝜕𝑡 𝜕𝑥 2 𝜕𝑦 2
𝜕2 𝑢 𝜕2 𝑢
(C) + =0
𝜕𝑥 2 𝜕𝑦 2
𝜕2 𝑢 2 𝜕 𝑢2
(D) = 𝑐
𝜕𝑡 2 𝜕𝑥 2
D’Alembert's Solution of Infinitely long wave (string)
𝜕2 𝑢 2
2𝜕 𝑢
Let given wave equation be: = 𝐶 (1)
𝜕𝑡 2 𝜕𝑥 2
such that −∞ < 𝑥 < ∞, 𝑡 > 0
with initial displacement = 𝑓(𝑥) and initial velocity = 𝑔(𝑥)
Then. D’ Alembert’s solution of equation (1) is given by:
1 1 𝑥+𝐶𝑡
𝑢 𝑥, 𝑡 = 𝑓 𝑥 + 𝐶𝑡 + 𝑓(𝑥 − 𝐶𝑡) + 𝑔 𝑠 𝑑𝑠
2 2𝐶 𝑥−𝐶𝑡
Find D’ Alembert’s solution of following:
Problem 1. 𝑓 𝑥 = sin 𝑥, 𝑔 𝑥 = 𝑎
Solution. 𝑓 𝑥 + 𝑐𝑡 = sin 𝑥 + 𝑐𝑡 , 𝑓 𝑥 − 𝑐𝑡 = sin 𝑥 − 𝑐𝑡 , 𝑔 𝑠 = 𝑎
D’ Alembert’s solution is given by:
1 1 𝑥+𝐶𝑡
𝑢 𝑥, 𝑡 = 𝑓 𝑥 + 𝐶𝑡 + 𝑓(𝑥 − 𝐶𝑡) + 𝑔 𝑠 𝑑𝑠
2 2𝐶 𝑥−𝐶𝑡
1 1 𝑥+𝑐𝑡
⇒ 𝑢 𝑥, 𝑡 = 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑥 + 𝑐𝑡 + 𝑠𝑖𝑛(𝑥 − 𝑐𝑡) + 𝑎 𝑑𝑠
2 2𝑐 𝑥−𝑐𝑡
1 𝑎
⇒ 𝑢 𝑥, 𝑡 = 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑥𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑐𝑡 + 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑥𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑐𝑡 + 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑥𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑐𝑡 − 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑥𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑐𝑡 + 𝑥 + 𝑐𝑡 − 𝑥 + 𝑐 𝑡
2 2𝑐
1 𝑎
⇒ 𝑢 𝑥, 𝑡 = 2𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑥𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑐𝑡 + 2𝑐𝑡
2 2𝑐
⇒ 𝑢 𝑥, 𝑡 = sin 𝑥 cos 𝑐𝑡 + 𝑎𝑡 Answer.
Find D’ Alembert’s solution of following:
Problem 2. 𝑓 𝑥 = 0, 𝑔 𝑥 = cos 𝑥
Solution. 𝑓 𝑥 + 𝑐𝑡 = 0, 𝑓 𝑥 − 𝑐𝑡 = 0, 𝑔 𝑠 = cos 𝑠
D’ Alembert’s solution is given by:
1 1 𝑥+𝑐𝑡
𝑢 𝑥, 𝑡 = 𝑓 𝑥 + 𝑐𝑡 + 𝑓(𝑥 − 𝑐𝑡) + 𝑥−𝑐𝑡 𝑔 𝑠 𝑑𝑠
2 2𝐶
1 1 𝑥+𝑐𝑡
⇒ 𝑢 𝑥, 𝑡 = 0+0 + cos 𝑠 𝑑𝑠
2 2𝑐 𝑥−𝑐𝑡
1 𝑥+𝑐𝑡 1
⇒ 𝑢 𝑥, 𝑡 = sin 𝑠 𝑥−𝑐𝑡 = sin 𝑥 + 𝑐𝑡 − sin(𝑥 − 𝑐𝑡)
2𝑐 2𝑐
1
⇒ 𝑢 𝑥, 𝑡 = 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑥𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑐𝑡 + 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑥𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑐𝑡 − 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑥𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑐𝑡 + 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑥𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑐𝑡
2𝑐
1
⇒ 𝑢 𝑥, 𝑡 = 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑥𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑐𝑡 Answer.
𝑐
Polling Quiz
D’Alembert’s solution of infinitely long wave with initial displacement 𝑓(𝑥) and
initial velocity 𝑔 𝑥 is given by:
𝑥
(A) 𝑢 𝑥, 𝑡 = 𝑓 𝑥 + 𝐶𝑡 + 𝑓(𝑥 − 𝐶𝑡) + −𝑥 𝑔 𝑠 𝑑𝑠
1 1 𝑥+𝐶𝑡
(B) 𝑢 𝑥, 𝑡 = 𝑓 𝑥 + 𝐶𝑡 + 𝑓(𝑥 − 𝐶𝑡) + 𝑥−𝐶𝑡 𝑔 𝑠 𝑑𝑠
2 2𝐶
𝑥+𝐶𝑡
(C) 𝑢 𝑥, 𝑡 = 𝑓 𝑥 + 𝐶𝑡 − 𝑓(𝑥 − 𝐶𝑡) + 𝑥−𝐶𝑡 𝑔 𝑠 𝑑𝑠
1
(D) 𝑢 𝑥, 𝑡 = 𝑓 𝑥 + 𝐶𝑡 + 𝑔(𝑥 − 𝐶𝑡)
2
