Chapter 12: Problem 46
The wave equation \(c^{2} \partial^{2} u / \partial x^{2}=\partial^{2} u / \partial t^{2}\) and the heat equation \(c \partial^{2} u / \partial x^{2}=\partial u / \partial t\) are two of the most important equations in physics ( \(c\) is a constant). These are called partial differential equations. Show each of the following: (a) \(u=\cos x \cos c t\) and \(u=e^{x}\) cosh \(c t\) satisfy the wave equation. (b) \(u=e^{-c t} \sin x\) and \(u=t^{-1 / 2} e^{-x^{2} /(4 c t)}\) satisfy the heat equation.
Short Answer
Step by step solution
Verify wave equation for \(u = \cos x \cos ct\)
Verify wave equation for \(u = e^x \cosh ct\)
Verify heat equation for \(u = e^{-ct} \sin x\)
Verify heat equation for \(u = t^{-1/2} e^{-x^2/(4ct)}\)
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Wave Equation
- It models waves like sound and light that travel through different media.
- The equation indicates that the wave's acceleration in time is proportionally related to its curvature in space.
- This equation can be used to study how a wave changes shape and speed as it moves.
Heat Equation
- It is used for modeling how heat diffuses through a solid over time.
- The equation describes how temperature gradients drive heat flow, which aligns with Fourier's law of heat conduction.
- Solving the heat equation helps in predicting temperature changes and is vital in engineering and environmental sciences.
Partial Derivatives
- They allow us to analyze the behavior of functions of multiple variables, revealing insights into how each variable influences the function.
- In wave and heat equations, nested derivatives (\(\frac{\partial^2 u}{\partial x^2}\) and \(\frac{\partial^2 u}{\partial t^2}\)) relate spatial and temporal changes, crucial for finding solutions.
- These derivatives underpin vector calculus and are instrumental in fields like fluid dynamics, electromagnetism, and economic modeling.