UNIT III

APPLICATIONS OF PARTIAL DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS

(MISCELLANEOUS PROBLEMS)

1. A string of length 2l is fastened at both ends. The mid point of the string is
taken to a height ‘b’ and then released from rest in that position. Show that the
displacement

8b ( 1)n 1  (2n  1) x   (2n  1) at 
y( x , t ) 
2
 (2n  1)2 sin  2l
 cos 
2l

n 1

SOLUTION:

y
The wave equation is
x
2 y 2 y B(l,b)
2
 a2 2
t x
From the given problem, we get the
following boundary conditions: b
(i) y(0, t )  0, t  0
O(0,0) A(2l,0) x
(ii) y(2l, t )  0, t  0
y( x , 0)
(iii) 0 ( initial velocity zero)
t
Equation of OB is
y  y1 x  x1 (0, 0) (l, b)

y2  y1 x2  x1 ( x1 , y1 ) ( x2 , y2 )
y0 x 0

b0 l0
bx
y , 0x l
l
Equation of BA is
y  y1 x  x1 (l, b) (2l, 0)

y2  y1 x2  x1 ( x1 , y1 ) ( x2 , y2 )
y b x l

0  b 2l  l
 x l
y b  ( b)
l
xb lb xb 2bl  xb b
y  b   2b     2l  x  , l  x  2l
l l l l l
 bx
 l , 0x l
 (iv) y( x , 0)  
 b  2l  x  , l  x  2l
 l
Now the suitable solution is,
y( x , t )   c1 cos px  c2 sin px   c3 cos pat  c4 sin pat  (1)

Applying condition (i) in (1) we get,

y(0, t )  c1  c3 cos pat  c4 sin pat   0

Here c3 cos pat  c4 sin pat  0  c1  0

Sub. c1  0 in (1), we get,

y( x , t )  c2 sin px  c3 cos pat  c4 sin pat  (2)

Applying condition (ii) in (2) we get,

y(2l, t )  c2 sin 2 pl  c3 cos pat  c4 sin pat   0

Here c3 cos pat  c4 sin pat  0 ,

 c2  0 or sin 2 pl  0 .

Suppose we take c2  0 and already we have c1  0 then we get trivial solution.

 sin 2 pl  0

Since sin n  0
 2 pl  n (n be an integer)

n
p
2l
n
Put p  in (2) we get,
2l
 n x   n at n at 
y( x , t )  c2 sin    c3 cos  c4 sin  (3)
 2l   2l 2l 
Diff. (3) p.w.r. to ‘t’ we get,

y( x , t )  n x    n at   n a   n at   n a  
 c2 sin   c3 sin      c4 cos 
t  2l     2l   2l   2l   2l  
Applying condition (iii) we get,

y( x , 0)  n x    n a  
 c2 sin  0  c4  0
t  2l   
2l  

 n x  n a
Here c2  0, sin    0, 0
 2l  2l
 c4  0 .
Sub. c4  0 in (3) we get,

 n x   n at 
y( x , t )  c2 sin   c3 cos 
 2l   2l 

 n x   n at 
y( x , t )  cn sin   cos  , where cn  c2c3 . (4)
 2l   2l 

 The most general solution of (4) can be written as


 n x   n at 
y( x , t )   cn sin  2l
 cos 
2l 
 (5)
n 1

Applying condition (iv) in (5) we get,

 bx
 , 0x l
 n x   l
y( x , 0)   cn sin    f ( x ) (say) (6)
 2l   b
n 1
 l
 2l  x  , l  x  2l
To find cn , expand f  x  in a half-range Fourier sine series in the interval  0, L  ,
where L  2l .
 bx
 l , 0x l 
 n x 
(i.e.) f (x )     bn sin  (7)
 b  2l  x  , l  x  2l n 1  L 
 l
L
2  n x 
where bn 
L  f ( x ) sin  L 
 dx
0

From (6) and (7), we get,

cn  bn
L 2l
2  n x  2  n x 
 cn  bn 
L  f ( x ) sin 
 L   dx 
2l  f ( x ) sin  2l 
 dx
0 0
 l 2l
1  n x   n x  
  f ( x ) sin  dx   f ( x ) sin  dx 
l  2l   2l  
0 l

l 2l
1  bx  n x  b  n x  
  sin  dx   (2l  x ) sin  dx 
l l  2l  l  2l  

0 l
l 2l
b  n x  b  n x 
 2  x sin   dx  2  (2l  x ) sin   dx
l 0  2l  l 2l 
l
l
  n x   n x  
  cos   sin 
b   2l  
2l  
 2 x  (1)
l   n   n 
2 
     
 2l  2l   0
2l
  n x   n x  
  cos    sin  
b   2l   2l  
 2 (2l  x )  ( 1)
l   n   n 
2 
     
 2l  2l  l

  n   n   
 cos  sin  
b   2   
2  
 2  l   (0  0)
l    n   n 
2 
   
 2 l    
2l  
   n   n   
  cos  sin  
b    2  
2  
 2 (0  0)  ( l )  
l    n  2
 n   
     
  2l  2l   

  n   n   n   n   
 l cos  sin l cos sin  
b   2  
2 
  
2 

2  
 2    
l   n   n  
2  n   2
 n   
     
 2l    
 2l 2l  2l   

  n  
 sin  
b   2   b  n  4l
2
8b  n 
 2 2  2 sin    2 2 sin 
l   n   l
2 2  2  n 
2 2
n   2 
  
  2l  
  8b  n 
 2 2 sin  , if n is odd
 n   2 
0, if n is even


8b  n   n x   n at 
 y( x , t )   2 2
sin 
 2  sin 
 2l   cos 
2l 

n  odd n 

 (2n  1) 
 sin  
8b  2  (2n  1) x   (2n  1) at 
 2

 (2n  1)2
sin 
 2l


cos 
 2l

n 1

8b ( 1)n 1  (2n  1) x   (2n  1) at 
y( x , t ) 
2
 (2n  1)2 sin  2l
 cos 
2l

n 1

2. A homogeneous rod of conducting material of length l has its ends kept at

zero temperature. The temperature at the centre is T and falls uniformly to zero
at the two ends. Find the temperature function u( x , t ) .

SOLUTION:

The temperature function u( x , t )

satisfies the one dimensional heat
equation B(l/2, T)

u 2u
 c2 2
t x
From the given problem we get the
following boundary conditions: O(0,0) A(l,0)
(i) u(0, t )  0,  t  0

(ii) u(l, t )  0,  t  0
(iii) u( x , 0)  ?
Equation of OB is
l 
y  y1 x  x1 (0, 0)  , T 
 2
y2  y1 x2  x1
( x1 , y1 ) ( x2 , y2 )
y0 x 0

T 0 l
0
2
 y 2x

T l
2Tx l
y , 0x
l 2
Equation of BA is
l 
y  y1

x  x1  , T  (l, 0)
2
y2  y1 x2  x1
( x1 , y1 ) ( x2 , y2 )
l
x
y T 2

0 T l
l
2
y  T 2x  l

T l
2Tx
y T  T
l
2Tx
y  2T 
l
2T  2Tx
y
l
2T l
y (l  x ), x l
l 2

 2Tx l
 l , 0x
2
 (iii) u( x , 0)  
 2T (l  x ), l  x  l
 l 2
Now the suitable solution is
2 2
u( x , t )   A cos px  B sin px  e c p t
(1)

Applying condition (i) in (1) we get,

2 2
u(0, t )   A  0 e c p t
0
2 2
Here e c p t  0  A  0
2 2
 (1)  u( x , t )  B sin px e c p t
(2)

Applying condition (ii) in (2) we get,

 2 2
u(l, t )  B sin pl e c p t
0
2 2
Here e c p t  0 ,  either B  0 (or) sin pl  0 .

If we take B  0 and already we have A  0 , we get trivial solution.

 B  0  sin pl  0.

Since sin n  0
 pl  n

n
p .
l
n
Put p  in (2) we get,
l
n2 2
 c2 t
 n x  l2
u( x , t )  B sin  e (3)
 l 

The most general solution is

n2 2
  c2 t
 n x 
u( x , t )   Bn sin 
 l 
e l2 (4)
n 1

Applying condition (iii) in (4) we get,

 2Tx l
  , 0x
 n x   l 2
u( x , 0)   Bn sin    f (x )   (5)
 l   2T (l  x ), l  x  l
n 1
 l 2
To find Bn , we expand f ( x ) in a half-range Fourier sine series in the interval

 0,l  ,

 n x 
(i.e.) f (x )   bn sin  l 
 (6)
n 1
l
2  n x 
where bn   f ( x ) sin  dx
l  l 
0

From (5) and (6) we have,

Bn  bn
l
2  n x 
 Bn  bn 
l  f ( x ) sin 
 l 
dx
0
 l 
 2
2 2Tx  n x 
l
2 2T  n x  
 
l l l
sin  dx  ( l  x ) sin dx 
l  l  l  
l 


0
 
 2 
l
  n x   n x   2
  cos   sin 
4T   l  
l 
 2 x  (1)
l   n   n 
2 
     
l l 
  0
l
  n x   n x  
  cos   sin 
4T   l  
l 
 2 (l  x )  ( 1)
l   n   n 
2 
     
 l l   l
2

  n   n   
 cos  sin  
4T  l  2  
2  
 2     0  0 

l  2  n   n 
2 
   
 l    
l 
   n   n   
   cos   sin    
4T  l 2 2 
 2 (0  0)    
l   2  n  2
 n   
     
  l l   

  n  
 2 sin   2
4T 2   8T l  n  8T  n 
 2   sin    sin  
l   n  2  l2 n2 2  2  n2 2 2
   
  l  
 The general solution is
n2 2
  c2 t
8T  n   n x 
u( x , t )   n2 2 sin  2  sin  l  e l2
n 1

n2 2
  c2 t
8T 1  n   n x 

2
 n2 sin  2
 sin 
l 
 e
l2 .
n 1

3. A bar 10 cm long with insulated sides has its ends A and B kept at 20 c
and 40 c respectively until steady state conditions prevail. The temperature at A
is then suddenly raised to 50 c and at the same time at B is lowered to 10 c and
maintained thereafter. Find the subsequent temperature distribution in the bar.

SOLUTION:

The temperature function u( x , t ) is the solution of the one dimensional heat

equation

u 2u
 c2 2
t x

u
When the steady state condition prevails,  0.
t

2u
 0
x 2 A 10 cm B

We integrating, u( x )  ax  b 20° 40°

When x  0 , u(0)  b
50° 10°
20  b

When x  10 , u(10)  10a  b

40  10a  20

a2

 u( x )  2x  20 .

Hence the boundary conditions are

(i) u(0, t )  50,  t  0

(ii) u(10, t )  10,  t  0

(iii) u( x , 0)  2x  20

Now the suitable solution is

2 2
u( x , t )   A cos px  B sin px  e c p t
(1)

Applying condition (i) in (1) we get,

2 2
u(0, t )  Ae c p t
 50 (2)

Applying condition (ii) in (2) we get,

 2 2
u(10, t )  ( A cos10 p  B sin10 p) e c p t
 10 (3)

From (2) and (3) it is not possible to find the constants A and B, since we have
infinite number of values for A and B. Therefore in this case, we split the
solution u( x , t ) into two parts.

(i.e.) u( x , t )  uS ( x )  uT ( x , t ) (4)

u 2u
Where uS ( x ) is a solution of the equation  c2 2 and is a function of x
t x
alone satisfying the conditions
uS (0)  50

uS (10)  10 .

uT ( x , t ) is a transient solution satisfying equation (4) which decreases as ‘t’

increases.
If u( x , t ) is a sub sequent temperature function, the boundary conditions are

(i) u(0, t )  50,  t  0

(ii) u(10, t )  10,  t  0

(iii) u( x ,0)  2x  20 .

To find uS ( x) :

uS ( x )  Ax  B

Put x  0 , uS (0)  B

50  B .
Put x  10 , uS (10)  10 A  B

10  10 A  50 .
A  4
 uS ( x )  4x  50

To find uT ( x, t) :

(4)  u( x , t )  uS ( x )  uT ( x , t )

 uT ( x , t )  u( x , t )  uS ( x ) (5)
Put x  0 , uT (0, t )  u(0, t )  uS (0)

 50  50
 0.
Put x  10 , uT (0, t )  u(10, t )  uS (10)

 10  10
 0.
Put t  0 , uT ( x ,0)  u( x ,0)  uS ( x )

 (2x  20)  ( 4x  50)

 6x  30 .
 The boundary conditions are,
(i) uT (0, t )  0,  t  0

(ii) uT (10, t )  0,  t  0
(iii) uT ( x ,0)  6x  30 .
Now the suitable solution is
2 2
uT ( x , t )   A cos px  B sin px  e c p t
(I)

Applying condition (i) in (I) we get,

2 2
uT (0, t )  Ae c p t
0
2 2
Here e c p t  0  A  0
2 2
 (I)  uT ( x , t )  B sin px e c p t
(II)

Applying condition (ii) in (II) we get,

2 2
uT (10, t )  B sin10 p . e c p t
0
2 2
Here e c p t  0 ,  either B  0 (or) sin10 p  0 .

If we take B  0 and already we have A  0 , we get trivial solution.

 B  0  sin10 p  0.

Since sin n  0
 10p  n

n
p .
10
 n
Put p  in (II) we get,
10
n2 2
 n x   c2 t
uT ( x , t )  B sin  e 100 (III)
 10 

The most general solution is

2 2
 2n 
 n x  c t
uT ( x , t )   Bn sin 
 10 
e 100 (IV)
n 1

Applying condition (iii) in (IV) we get,


 n x 
uT ( x , 0)   Bn sin  10 
  6x  30  f ( x ) (V)
n 1

To find Bn , we expand f ( x ) in a half-range Fourier sine series in the

interval  0,10 ,

 n x 
(i.e.) f (x )   bn sin  10 
 (VI)
n 1

10
2  n x 
where bn 
10  f ( x ) sin 
 10 
dx
0

From (V) and (VI) we have,

Bn  bn
10
2  n x 
 Bn  bn 
10  f ( x ) sin 
 10 
dx
0
10
1  n x 

5  (6x  30) sin  10 
 dx
0
10
  n x   n x  
  cos   sin 
1  10  
10  
 (6x  30)  (6)
5  n   n  
2 
     
 10 10  0

   
1  ( 1)n   1 
  (30)  (0)   ( 30)  0 
5   n     n  
        
 10  10 
  
1  ( 1)n
30 
  30 
5  n   n  
  10   10  
    


1
5
30
10
n

( 1)n  1  
60
n

( 1)n  1  
Sub. Bn in (IV) we get,

 n2 2
 c2
  n ( 1)n  1 sin 
60  n x  100
t
uT ( x , t )   e
n 1
10 

Hence
u( x , t )  uS ( x )  uT ( x , t )

 n2 2
 c2
 n ( 1)n  1 sin 
60 1  n x  100
t
u( x , t )  4x  50   e .
 n 1
10 

4. A square plate is bounded by the lines x  0, y  0, x  10, y  10 . Its faces

are insulated. The temperature along the upper horizontal edge is given by
u( x ,10)  x(10  x ) , while the other three edges are kept at 0 c . Find the steady
state temperature in the plate.

SOLUTION:

The equation is
2u 2u y
 0 u(x,10) = x(10 – x)
x 2 y2
y = 10
From the given problem we get the
following conditions: u(0,y) = 0 u(10,y) = 0
(i) u(0, y)  0, 0  y  10 x=0 x = 10

(ii) u(10, y)  0, 0  y  10
(iii) u( x ,0)  0, 0  x  10
y=0
x
(iv) u( x ,10)  x(10  x ), 0  x  10 . u(x,0) = 0

Now, the suitable solution is


u( x , y)   A cos px  B sin px  Ce py  De  py  (1)

Applying condition (i) in (1) we get,


u(0, y)  A Ce py  De  py  0 
Here Ce py  De  py  0,  A  0

Sub. A  0 in (1) we get,


u( x , y)  B sin px Ce py  De  py  (2)

Applying condition (ii) in (2) we get,


u(10, y)  B sin10 p Ce py  De  py  0 
Since Ce py  De  py  0,  either B  0 or sin10 p  0 .

Since B  0  sin10 p  0

We know that sin n  0

 10p  n

n
 p
10
n
Sub p  in (2) we get,
10
 n y n y

 n x   10  10 
u( x , y)  B sin  Ce  De (3)
 10   
 

Applying condition (iii) in (3) we get,

 n x 
u( x , 0)  B sin 
 10 
C  D   0

 n x 
Here sin   0, B0
 10 

 CD0
 D  C .

Put D   C in (3) we get,

 n y n y

 n x   10  10 
u( x , y)  B sin  Ce  Ce
 10   
 

 n y n y

 n x  10  10 
 BC sin  e e
 10   
 
  n x   n y   ex  ex 
 2BC sin   . sinh    sinh x  (4)
 10   10   2 

The most general solution is given by


 n x   n y 
u( x , y)   An sin  10
 . sinh 
10 
, where An  2BC (5)
n 1

Applying condition (iv) in (5) we get,


 n x 
u( x ,10)   An sin  10 
 . sinh n  x (10  x )
n 1


 n x 
  Bn sin  10 
  x (10  x ) , where Bn  An sinh n (6)
n 1

To find Bn expand f ( x )  x(10  x ) in a half-range Fourier sine series in (0,10)


 n x 
(i.e.) f ( x )  x (10  x )   bn sin  10 
 (7)
n 1

10
2  n x 
where bn 
10  f ( x ) sin 
 10 
dx
0

From (6) and (7) we get,

Bn  bn
10
2  n x 
 Bn  bn 
10  f ( x ) sin 
 10 
dx
0
10
1  n x 

5  x(10  x ) sin  10 
 dx
0
10
1 2  n x 

5  (10x  x ) sin 
 10 
dx
0
10
  n x   n x   n x  
  cos    sin   cos  
1 2  10   10   10  
 (10x  x )  (10  2x )  ( 2)
5  n  n
 
2
 n 
3 
       
 10 10 10  0
   
   
1  2( 1)n   1 
  00  002
3   3 
5   n   n   

       
10    10   
 1 1 2 1000 400
 2. 3
(1  ( 1)n )  3 3
(1  ( 1)n )  3 3 (1  ( 1)n )
5  n  5n  n 
 
10

 800
 , if n is odd
  n3 3
0, if n is even

Since Bn  An sinh n

Bn
 An 
sinh n
 800
 3 3 , if n is odd
  n  sinh n
0 , if n is even

Sub. An in (5) we get,

800  n x   n y 
u( x , y)   3 3
sin 
 10   . sinh 
 10 
n  odd n  sinh n

800 1  (2n  1) x   (2n  1) y 

 3  (2n  1)3 sinh(2n  1) sin  10
 . sinh 
10
 .
n 1

5. A rectangular plate with insulated surface is 10 cm wide so long compared to

its width that it may be considered infinite in length. If the temperature at the
x , 0x 5
short edge y  0 is given by u   and the two long edge
10  x , 5  x  10
x  0, x  10 as well as the other short edge are kept at 0 c . Find the
temperature function u( x , y) at any point of the plate.
SOLUTION:

The two dimensional heat equation is

2u 2u
 0
x 2 y2
From the given problem we get the following conditions:
 y
u(x,∞) = 0
(i) u(0, y)  0, 0  y  
y=∞

u(0,y) = 0 u(10,y) = 0
(ii) u(10, y)  0, 0  y  
x=0 x = 10
(iii) u( x , )  0, 0  x  10

x , 0x 5
(iv) u( x , 0)   .
10  x , 5  x  10 y=0 x
Now, the suitable solution is
u(x,0) =
u( x , y)   A cos px  B sin px  Ce  py
 De  py

(1)
Applying condition (i) in (1) we get,


u(0, y)  A Ce py  De  py  0 
Here Ce py  De  py  0,  A  0

Sub. A  0 in (1) we get,


u( x , y)  B sin px Ce py  De  py  (2)

Applying condition (ii) in (2) we get,


u(10, y)  B sin10 p Ce py  De  py  0 
Since Ce py  De  py  0,  either B  0 or sin10 p  0 .

Since B  0  sin10 p  0

We know that sin n  0

 10p  n

n
 p
10
n
Sub p  in (2) we get,
10
 n y n y 
 n x   10  10

u( x , y)  B sin   Ce  De (3)
 10   
 

Applying condition (iii) in (3) we get,

 n x 
u( x , )  B sin 
 10   
Ce  De   0 
  n x 
Here sin   0, B  0 , e  0
 10 

 C0
Put C  0 in (3) we get,
n y
 n x   10
u( x , y)  B sin  De
 10 
n y
 n x   10
u( x , y)  Bn sin  e ,where Bn  BD (4)
 10 

The most general solution is given by

n y

 n x  

10
u( x , y)  Bn sin  e (5)
 10 
n 1

Applying condition (iv) in (5) we get,

 0x 5
 n x  x ,
u( x , 0)   Bn sin    f ( x )   (6)
n 1
10 10  x , 5  x  10

To find Bn , expand f ( x ) in a half-range Fourier sine series in (0,10)


 n x 
(i.e.) f (x )   bn sin  10 
 (7)
n 1

10
2  n x 
where bn 
10  f ( x ) sin 
 10 
dx
0

From (6) and (7) we get,

Bn  bn
10
2  n x 
 Bn  bn 
10  f ( x ) sin 
 10 
dx
0

5 10
1  n x   n x  
  f ( x ) sin  dx   f ( x ) sin  dx 
5  10   10  
0 5
5 10
1  n x   n x  
  x sin  dx   (10  x ) sin  dx 
5  10   10  
0 5
 5
  n x   n x  
  cos   sin 
1  10  
10  
 x  (1)
5  n   n 
2 
     
 10 10  0
10
  n x   n x  
  cos    sin  
1  10   10  
 (10  x )  ( 1)
5  n   n 
2 
     
 10 10  5

  n   n   
 cos  sin  
1   2   
2  
  5    0  0 
5   n   n  
2
   
 10    
10  
   n   n   
  5 cos  sin  
1  2  
2  
  0  0    
5   n  2
 n   
   
 10    
 10   

  n  
 2 sin  
1  2   1 100  n 
  2 2 2 sin  
5   n  2  5 n   2 
  
  10  
40  n 
Bn  2 2 sin  
n   2 
n y

40 1  n   n x  
u( x , y)  2  2 sin   sin 
10
 e .
 n 1 n  2  10 