College of Engineering Pune

MA 20004 : Vector Calculus and Partial Differential Equations

S.Y. B.Tech. Semester IV (All Branches)
Academic Year: 2022-23
Tutorial 10
Coordinator: Dr. C. M. Deshpande

1. Identify the following equations by their name (if any), order,

linear or nonlinear, homogeneous or non-homogeneous:
∂ 2y 2
(i) ∂t2
+ ∂∂sy2 = es+t
Ans: 2-D Poisson equation, second order, linear, non-homogeneous
differential equation.
∂y ∂ 2y
(ii) ∂t = ∂t2
Ans: second order, linear, homogeneous differential equation
that can be solved as an ODE.
∂ 2u 2
(iii) ∂t2
= c2 ∂∂xu2
Ans: One dimensional wave equation, second order, linear, ho-
mogeneous differential equation.
∂ y 2 ∂y
(iv) ( ∂x 2 )siny + ∂t = 0

Ans: second order, non-linear, homogeneous differential equa-

tion.
∂ 2u 2
(v) ∂x2
+ ∂∂yu2 = f (x, y) Ans: Same as (i).

2. Write the general one dimensional heat equation and show that
u = e−9tsinωx is a solution for some suitable constant c.

3. State the ideal physical conditions which are assumed to model

the Partial Differential Equation of a vibrating string?
 Ans: String is homogeneous i.e. density is uniform and per-
fectly elastic i.e. no resistance to bending, tightly stretched so
that tension is so large that gravitational force can be neglected,
motion of the particles is only in one direction i.e. vertical so
that deflection and slope at any point is always small in abso-
lute value.

4. Derive the one-dimensional wave equation which governs the

transverse vibrations of an elastic string of length L with stan-
dard assumptions stated in question 3 above. Discuss what will
happen if some of the assumptions are not satisfied. Also, what
additional assumption will simplify the calculations?

5. Write a general second order homogeneous partial differential

equation in two independent variables. For this prove the fun-
damental theorem of superposition of solutions.
6. Find solutions u(x, y) of the following equations by separating
variables.
2 +y 2 )/2+k(x−y)
(a) ux + uy = (x + y)u Ans: ce(x

3 +y 3 )
(b) y 2ux − x2uy = 0 Ans: cem(x

(c) ux = 2ut + u Ans: cekx+(k−1)y/2

(d) 2xzx − 3yzy = 0 Ans: cxk/2y k/3

7. Find the deflection u(x, t) of the string of length L = 1 when

2
 c = 1, the initial velocity is zero, and the initial deflection is
2x − x2, 0 < x < 1/2 and is zero if 1/2 < x < 1 Express
u(x, t) as superposition of two functions and also draw figures
of u(x, t) for various values of t.
8. Find the deflection u(x, t) of the string of length L when c =
1, the initial velocity is zero, and the initial deflection in the
interval [0, L] is
(a) f (x) = kx(1 − x2) with L = 1
∞
X 12k(−1)n+1
Ans: u(x, t) = 3π3
cos nπt sin nπx
n=1
n
(b) f (x) = k(sin(πx) − 1/3 sin(3πx)) with L = 1
Ans: u(x, t) = k cos πt sin πx − (k/3) cos 3πt sin 3πx
 3b
 Lx ; 0 ≤ x ≤ L/3
3b
L (L − 2x) ; L/3 ≤ x ≤ 2L/3
(c) f (x) =
 3b
L (x − L) ; 2L/3 ≤ x ≤ L
X ∞
Ans: u(x, t) = Bn cos nπt sin nπx;
n=1
18b sin nπ/3
Bn = (1 − 2 cos nπ/3)
n2π 2
9. Find the deflection u(x, t) of the string of length L when c = 1,
the initial deflection is zero, and the initial velocity is
(a)g(x) = 0.01x if 0 ≤ x ≤ π/2 and g(x) = 0.01(π − x) if
π/2 ≤ x ≤ π. Take L = π.
(b)g(x) = b sin(3πx/L) cos(2πx/L)
Ans: 2b sin t sin x + 10b sin 5t sin 5x

For a vibrating string there is only one set of boundary condi-

3
tions viz. zero boundary conditions. And hence when we solve
the ODE we get only the trivial solution for two choices of the
constant (k = 0 and k > 0) and only the case when k < 0 gives
us a solution which is harmonic in nature and then we can get
the complete solution by applying the initial conditions.
But this is not so for the one dimensional heat equation. Math-
ematically you get a solution for two cases - viz. when k = 0
, solution is u(x, t) = Ax + B; and when k < 0 = −λ2, the
2 2 2
solution is u(x, t) = (acosλx + bsinλx)e−c λ t/l (Note that
the third choice of k is physically impossible since the tem-
perature cannot go to infinity as t goes to infinity). Now us-
ing the principle of superposition we get the solution of the
2 2 2
problem as u(x, t) = Ax + B + (acosλx + bsinλx)e−c λ t/l .
Observe that this tends to Ax + B as t → ∞ and hence is
called the steady state solution. What happens to the tempera-
ture distribution till the steady state is reached is governed by
2 2 2
the term (acosλx + bsinλx)e−c λ t/l and hence this part of the
solution is called the transient solution. Now to get the val-
ues of A, B and λ we must have three conditions and they are
- the two boundary conditions and one initial condition. We
can have different sets boundary conditions and initial con-
dition may also be given in different ways. Following prob-
lems (5 to 11) illustrate the different sets of boundary condi-
tions and initial conditions. Starting from the solution u(x, t) =
2 2 2
Ax+B +(acosλx+bsinλx)e−c λ t/l one can find the constants
by using the given conditions.
Important tips:
1. Always think of the physical nature of the problem.
2. Note that it is always easier to use the zero conditions

4
 first.
3. Any zero condition, for example u(0, t) = 0 must be
understood as to be true for all t
4. Insulated ends or adiabatic conditions mean that there
is no flow of heat in the direction of the gradient which
for one dimensional heat equation means that ∂u/∂x is
zero at the ends at all times.
5. You could have mixed boundary conditions.
10. Find the temperature u(x, t) in a bar of length L that is perfectly
insulated laterally, whose ends are kept at temperature 0 0c and
whose initial temperature is f (x) where
(a) f (x) = k sin(0.2πx); L = 10cm, ρ = 10.6gm/cm3, thermal
conductivity = 1.04cal/(cmsecoc), σ = 0.056cal/gm0c.
Ans: B2 = k, all other coefficients are 0.

(b) f (x) = x if 0 < x < 2.5; f (x) = 2.5 if 2.5 < x < 7.5; f (x) =
10 − x if 7.5 < x < 10; L = 10cm, ρ = 10.6gm/cm3, thermal
conductivity = 1.04cal/(cmsecoc), σ = 0.056cal/gm0c.

(c) f (x) = 2 − 0.4|x − 5|; L = 10cm

11. Find the temperature u(x, t) in a bar that is perfectly insulated

laterally, whose ends are insulated and whose initial tempera-
ture is f (x) where
(a) f (x) = cos(2x), L = π, c = 1

(b) f (x) = 1 − (x/π), L = π, c = 1

5
 (c) f (x) = (x − π/2)2, L = π, c = 1.
Ans: ∞
π2 X 1 −4k 2 t
u(x, t) = + cos 2kxe
12 k2
k=1

12. If the ends x = 0 and x = L of laterally insulated bar of length

L are kept at constant temperatures 10 0c and 50 0c respectively,
what is the temperature u(x) in the bar after a long time ( t →
∞). Ans: u(x, t) = 10 + 40x/L
13. A bar of 10 cm long with ends A and B kept at 20 0c and 40 0c
respectively until steady state conditions prevail. The temper-
ature at A is then suddenly raised to 50 0c and at the same time
at B lowered to 10 0c and these are maintained. Find the subse-
quent temperature distribution. Show that the temperature at
the middle point of the bar remains unaltered for all time.
Ans:
∞
60 X 1 kπx −tk2π2/25
u(x, t) = −4x + 50 − sin e ; u(5, t) = 300C
π k 5
k=1

14. A rod of 100 cm. length has its ends kept at 0 0c and 100 0c
until the steady state conditions prevail. The two ends are then
suddenly insulated and maintained so. Find the temperature
in the rod. Show that the sum of the temperatures at any two
points equidistant from the centre is always 100 0c.
Ans:
∞
400 X 1 (2k − 1)πx −t(2k−1)2π2c2/100
u(x, t) = 50− 2 cos e
π (2k − 1)2 100
k=1

6
15. Obtain the temperature in a bar of length 1, and with lateral
surface insulated where, ux(1, t) = 0, u(0, t) = 10, u(x, 0) =
10 − x, 0 < x < 1.
Ans:
∞
8 X (−1)n (2n − 1)πx −t(2n−1)2c2π2/4
10 + 2 sin e
π n=1 (2n − 1)2 2

16. The heat flow in a bar of length π with c = 1 which is laterally

insulated and whose one end x = 0 is kept at 0 0c and at the an-
other end heat is flowing into air of constant temperature 0 0c
is governed by the one dimensional heat equation with bound-
ary conditions u(0, t) = 0; ux(π, t) = −u(π, t). Find a solution
u(x, t). Can you find infinitely many solutions? If so, what are
they?
Ans:
2t
u(x, t) = A sin pxe−p where p = − tan pπ

17. Show that the problem consisting of ut −c2uxx = N e−αx subject

to
u(0, t) = 0 = u(L, t); u(x, o) = f (x)
can be reduced to a problem for the homogeneous heat equa-
tion by setting u(x, t) = v(x, t) + w(x) and determining w so
that v satisfies the homogeneous equation and the conditions
v(0, t) = v(L, t) = 0; v(x, 0) = f (x) − w(x).
7
18. The faces of a thin square copper plate of side 24 cm. are per-
fectly insulated. The right side is kept at 20 0c and the other
sides are kept at 0 0c. Find the steady state temperature u(x, y)
in the plate.
Ans:
80 X 1 nπx nπy
sinh sin
π n sinh nπ 24 24
nodd

19. Find the steady state temperature distribution in a thin rectan-

gular metal plate 0 < x < a, 0 < y < b with its two faces
insulated with the following boundary conditions prescribed
on the four edges - u(0, y) = u(a, y) = u(x, 0) = 0; u(x, b) =
sin(nπx/a).
Ans:
nπb nπx nπy
u(x, y) = cosech sin sinh
a a a
20. Find a suitable equation to model the two dimensional vibration
problem for
(i) a circular membrane
(ii) rectangular membrane.
Derive (i) from (ii) and vice versa.
21. For radial symmetry show that ∇2u = uxx + uyy reduces to
∇2u = urr + (1/r)ur . Hence solve ∇2u = 0

22. Obtain the deflection of a vibrating elastic string u(x, t) at any

point x and at any time t > 0 where the vibrations are gov-
∂ 2u 2
2∂ u
erned by the PDE 2 = c subject to boundary conditions
∂t ∂x2
u(0, t) = u(L, t) = 0 for all t and initial conditions u(x, 0) =

8
 ∂u
f (x); = g(x).
∂t |t=0

23. Can you express solution of one dimensional wave equation as

u(x, t) = 12 (g ∗(x − ct) + g ∗(x + ct)) where g(x) is initial velocity
and g ∗(x) is its odd/even extension, initial deflection is zero.

24. Derive the one-dimensional heat equation which governs the

heat flow in a long thin bar of length L with insulated lateral
surface.

25. Obtain the temperature u(x, t) at any point x and at any time
t > 0 in a thin long bar of length L where the heat flow is gov-
2
∂u 2∂ u
erned by the PDE =c 2
if both the ends are kept at 0 0c
∂t ∂x
and initial temp. is given by u(x, 0) = f (x).

26. Obtain the temperature u(x, t) at any point x and at any time
t > 0 in a thin long bar of length L where the heat flow is gov-
2
∂u 2∂ u
erned by the PDE = c if both the ends are insulated
∂t ∂x2
and initial temp. is given by u(x, 0) = f (x).

27. Obtain the temperature u(x, y) at any point (x, y) in a rectan-

gular plate of sides a and b where the heat flow is steady, faces
are completely insulated and if initial temperature is given by
u(0, y) = f (y), u(x, 0) = u(a, y) = u(x, b) = 0.

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