How to Solve PDE Problems Involving Wave Equation

In summary, the PDE Encyclopedia and online resources are helpful for understanding and solving PDE problems, such as the one involving the Wave equation given in the conversation.
  • #1
island-boy
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hello, can you guys give me a good resource(websites, etc) on how to solve this type of problem?

The thing is, I'm not sure what methods are appropriate for solving this problem. I believe this is a PDE problem involving the Wave equation, but I don't know how to start.

I would like to say though, I'm not really well-versed in PDEs, I'm good with ODEs and I am familiar with the basic concepts of PDE.

Do I need to know Green's function or Fourier transforms to solve the problem below (so that I would know if I would need to study them)

------------

Consider the function Y defined by

Y(x,t) = 1, if |x| <= t, Y(x,t) = 0 if |x|> t or t<= 0.

For any [tex]\phi \in \mathfrak{D} (\mathbb{R}^{2})[/tex] (where [tex]\mathfrak{D}[/tex] means functions which are continuously differentiable with compact support)

solve for

[tex]\int_{\mathbb{R}}\int_{\mathbb{R}}Y(x,t) (\frac{\partial^{2}\phi}{\partial t^{2}} - \frac{\partial^{2}\phi}{\partial x^{2}}) (x,t) dx dt[/tex]
 
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  • #2
A good resource to start with is the PDE Encyclopedia. It provides an overview of the different types of PDEs and the methods for solving them. It also has guidance on which topics to study in order to understand each type of PDE. Additionally, there are many books and tutorials available online that provide more detailed explanations and examples.
 

Related to How to Solve PDE Problems Involving Wave Equation

1. What is a wave equation?

A wave equation is a mathematical equation that describes the behavior of a wave, such as a sound wave or a water wave. It is a partial differential equation (PDE) that relates the second derivative of a wave function to its time and position.

2. How do I solve a PDE problem involving a wave equation?

To solve a PDE problem involving a wave equation, you will need to use various techniques such as separation of variables, Fourier transforms, and Laplace transforms. These techniques help to simplify the equation and solve for the wave function in terms of time and position.

3. What boundary conditions are needed to solve a PDE problem involving a wave equation?

The boundary conditions needed for solving a PDE problem involving a wave equation depend on the specific problem at hand. Generally, you will need initial conditions, which describe the wave function at a specific time, and boundary conditions, which describe the wave function at the boundaries of the problem domain.

4. What are some real-world applications of the wave equation?

The wave equation has many real-world applications in fields such as acoustics, electromagnetics, and fluid dynamics. It is used to model and understand the behavior of sound waves, electromagnetic waves, and water waves. It is also used in engineering to design structures that can withstand wave forces.

5. Are there any limitations to using the wave equation?

While the wave equation is a powerful tool for understanding and solving problems involving waves, it does have some limitations. It assumes that the medium through which the wave is propagating is homogeneous and isotropic, meaning it has the same properties in all directions. In reality, many materials have varying properties and the wave equation may not accurately describe their behavior.

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