diff --git a/mkdocs.yml b/mkdocs.yml index dabd0d1bbcf5f1dac1cef15c96345040a600f10c..765dca78df3a89834cef1d9036716def519b2731 100644 --- a/mkdocs.yml +++ b/mkdocs.yml @@ -13,6 +13,7 @@ nav: - Operators in quantum mechanics: '5_operators_QM.md' - Eigenvectors and eigenvalues: '6_eigenvectors_QM.md' - Differential equations 1: '7_differential_equations_1.md' + - Differential equations 2: '8_differential_equations_2.md' theme: name: material diff --git a/src/8_differential_equations_2.md b/src/8_differential_equations_2.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000000000000000000000000000000000000..33c482832a7ff25a21af2be83f6bcce8985fa537 --- /dev/null +++ b/src/8_differential_equations_2.md @@ -0,0 +1,577 @@ +--- +title: Differential Equations 2 +--- + +# Differential equations 2 + +The lecture on differential equations consists of three parts, each with their own video: + +- [Higher order linear differential equations](#higher-order-linear-differential-equations) +- [Partial differential equations: Separation of variables](#partial-differential-equations-separation-of-variables) +- [Self-adjoint differential operators](#self-adjoint-differential-operators) + +**Total video length: hour minutes seconds** + +## Higher order linear differential equations + +<iframe width="100%" height=315 src="https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/ucvIiLgJ2i0?rel=0" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe> + +In the previous lecture, we focused on first order linear differential equations +as well as systems of such equations. In this lecture we switch focus to DE's +which involve higher derivatives of the function we would like to solve for. To +f`%acilitate this change we are going to change notation. In the previous lecture +we wrote differential equations for $x(t)$. In this lecture we will write DE's +of $y(x)$, where $y$ is an unknown function and $x$ is the independent variable. +For this purpose we make the following definitions, + +$$y' = \frac{dy}{dx}, \ y'' = \frac{d^2 y}{dx^2}, \ \cdots, \ y^{(n)} = \frac{d^n y}{dx^n}.$$ + +In the new notation, a linear $n$-th order differential equation with constant +coefficients reads + +$$y^{(n)} + a_{n-1} y^{(n-1)} + \cdots + a_1 y' + a_0 y = 0. $$ + +!!! info "Linear combination of solutions are still solutions" + + Note that as was the case for first order linear DE's, the propery of + linearity once again means that if $y_{1}(x)$ and $y_{2}(x)$ are both + solutions, and $a$ and $b$ are constants, + + $$a y_{1}(x) + b y_{2}(x)$$ + + then linear combination of the solutions is also a solution. + +In order to solve a higher order linear DE we will present a trick that makes it +possible to map the problem of solving a single $n$-th order linear DE into a +related problem of solving a system of $n$ first order linear DE's. + +To begin, define: + +$$y_{1} = y, \ y_{2} = y', \ \cdots, \ y_{n} = y^{(n-1)}.$$ + +Then, the differential equation can be re-written as + +$$y_1 ' = y_2$$ +$$y_2 ' = y_3$$ +$$ \vdots $$ +$$y_{n-1} ' = y_{n}$$ +$$y_{n} ' = - a_{0} y_{1} - a_{1} y_{2} - \cdots - a_{n-1} y_{n}.$$ + +Notice that together these $n$ equations form a linear first order system, the +first $n-1$ equations of which are trivial. Note that this trick can be used to +reduce any system of $n$-th order linear DE's to a larger system of first order +linear DE's. + +Since we have discussed already the method of solution for first order linear +systems, we will outline the general solution to this system. As before, the +general solution will be the linear combination of $n$ linearly independent +solutions $f_{i}(x)$, $i \epsilon \{1, \cdots, n \}$, which make up a basis for +the solution space. That is the general solution has the form + +$$y(x) = c_1 f_1 (x) + c_2 f_2 (x) + \cdots + c_n f_{n}(x). $$ + +To check that the $n$ solutions form a basis, it is sufficient to verify + +$$ det \begin{bmatrix} +f_1(x) & \cdots & f_{n}(x) \\ +f_1 ' (x) & \cdots & f_{n}'(x) \\ +\vdots & \vdots & \vdots \\ +f^{(n-1)}_{1} (x) & \cdots & f^{(n-1)}_{n} (x) \\ +\end{bmatrix} \neq 0.$$ + +The determinant in the preceding line is called the *Wronski determinant*. In +particular, to determine solutions, we need to find the eigenvalues of + +$$A = \begin{bmatrix} +0 & 1 & 0 & \cdots & 0 \\ +0 & 0 & 1 & \cdots & 0 \\ +\vdots & \vdots & \vdots & \cdots & \vdots \\ +-a_0 & -a_1 & -a_2 & \cdots & -a_{n-1} \\ +\end{bmatrix}.$$ + +It is possible to show that + +$$det(A - \lambda I) = -P(\lambda),$$ + +in which $P(\lambda)$ is the characteristic polynomial of the system matrix $A$, + +$$P(\lambda) = \lambda^n + a_{n-1} \lambda^{n-1} + \cdots + a_0.$$ + +As we demonstrate below, the proof relies on the co-factor expansion technique +for calculating a determinant. + +$$- det(A - \lambda I) = \begin{bmatrix} +\lambda & -1 & 0 & \cdots & 0 \\ +0 & \lambda & -1 & \cdots & 0 \\ +\vdots & \vdots & \vdots & \cdots & \vdots \\ +a_0 & a_1 & a_2 & \cdots & a_{n-1} + \lambda \\ +\end{bmatrix} $$ +$$- det(A - \lambda I) = \lambda det \begin{bmatrix} +\lambda & -1 & 0 & \cdots & 0 \\ +0 & \lambda & -1 & \cdots & 0 \\ +\vdots & \vdots & \vdots & \cdots & \vdots \\ +a_1 & a_2 & a_3 & \cdots & a_{n-1} + \lambda \\ +\end{bmatrix} + (-1)^{n+1}a_0 det \begin{bmatrix} +-1 & 0 & 0 & \cdots & 0 \\ +\lambda & -1 & 0 & cdots & 0 \\ +\vdots & \vdots & \vdots & \cdots & \vdots \\ +0 & 0 & \cdots & \lambda & -1 \\ +\end{bmatrix}$$ +$$- det(A - \lambda I) = \lambda det \begin{bmatrix} +\lambda & -1 & 0 & \cdots & 0 \\ +0 & \lambda & -1 & \cdots & 0 \\ +\vdots & \vdots & \vdots & \cdots & \vdots \\ +a_1 & a_2 & a_3 & \cdots & a_{n-1} + \lambda \\ +\end{bmatrix} + (-1)^{n+1} a_0 (-1)^{n-1}$$ +$$- det(A - \lambda I) = \lambda det \begin{bmatrix} +\lambda & -1 & 0 & \cdots & 0 \\ +0 & \lambda & -1 & \cdots & 0 \\ +\vdots & \vdots & \vdots & \cdots & \vdots \\ +a_1 & a_2 & a_3 & \cdots & a_{n-1} + \lambda \\ +\end{bmatrix} + a_0$$ +$$- det(A - \lambda I) = \lambda (\lambda (\lambda \cdots + a_2) + a_1) + a_0$$ +$$- det(A - \lambda I) = P(\lambda).$$ + +In the second last line of the proof we indicated that the method of co-factor +expansion demonstrated is repeated an additional $n-2$ times. This completes the +proof. + +With the characteristic polynomial, it is possible to write the differential +equation as + +$$P(\frac{d}{dx})y(x) = 0.$$ + +To determine solutions, we need to find $\lambda_i$ such that $P(\lambda_i) = 0$. +By the fundamental theorem of algebra, we know that $P(\lambda)$ can be written +as + +$$P(\lambda) = \overset{l}{\underset{k=1}{\Sigma}} (\lambda - \lambda_k)^{m_k}.$$ + +In the previous equation $\lambda_k$ are the k roots of the equations, and $m_k$ +is the multiplicity of each root. Note that the multiplicities satisfy +$\overset{l}{\underset{k=1}{\Sigma}} m_k = n$. + +If the multiplicity of each eigenvalue is one, then solutions which form the +basis are then given as: + +$$f(x) = e^{\lambda_1 x}, \ e^{\lambda_2 x}, \ \cdots, \ e^{\lambda_n x}.$$ + +If there are eigenvalues with multiplicity greater than one, the the solutions +which form the basis are given as + +$$f(x) = e^{\lambda_1 x}, \ x e^{\lambda_1 x} , \ \cdots, \ x^{m_{1}-1} e^{\lambda_1 x}, \ etc.$$ + +---ADD PROOF HERE--- + +!!! check "Example: Second order homogeneous linear DE with constant coefficients" + + Consider the equation + + $$y'' + Ey = 0.$$ + + The characteristic polynomial of this equation is + + $$P(\lambda) = \lambda^2 + E.$$ + + There are three cases for the possible solutions, depending upon the value + of E. + + **Case 1: $E>0$** + For ease of notation, define $E=k^2$ for some constant $k$. The + characteristic polynomial can then be factored as + + $$P(\lambda) = (\lambda+ i k)(\lambda - i k). $$ + + Following our formulation for the solution, the two basis functions for the + solution space are + + $$f_1(x) = e^{i k x}, \ f_2=e^{- i k x}.$$ + + Alternatively, the trigonometric functions can serve as basis functions, + since they are linear combinations of $f_1$ and $f_2$ which remain linearly + independent, + + $$\tilde{f_1}(x)=cos(kx), \tilde{f_2}(x)=sin{kx}.$$ + + **Case 2: $E<0$** + This time, define $E=-k^2$, for constant $k$. The characteristic polynomial + can then be factored as + + $$P(\lambda) = (\lambda+ k)(\lambda - k).$$ + + The two basis functions for this solution are then + + $$f_1(x)=e^{k x}, \ f_2(x) = e^{-k x}.$$ + + **Case 3: $E=0$** + In this case, there is a repeated eigenvalue (equal to $0$), since the + characteristic polynomial reads + + $$P(\lambda) = (\lambda-0)^2.$$ + + Hence the basis functions for the solution space read + + $$f_1(x)=e^{0 x} = 1, \ f_{2}(x) = x e^{0 x} = x. $$ + + +## Partial differential equations: Separation of variables + +<iframe width="100%" height=315 src="https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/I4ghpYsFLFY?rel=0" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe> + +### Definitions and examples + +A partial differential equation (PDE) is an equation involving a function of two or +more indepenedent variables and derivatives of said function. These equations +are classified similarly to ordinary differential equations (the subject of +our earlier study). For example, they are called linear if no terms such as + +$$\frac{\partial y(x,t)}{\partial x} \cdot \frac{d y(x,t)}{\partial t} \ or $$ +$$\frac{\partial^2 y(x,t)}{\partial x^2} y(x,t)$$ + +occur. A PDE can be classified as $n$-th order accorind to the highest +derivative order of either variable occuring in the equation. For example, the +equation + +$$\frac{\partial^3 f(x,y)}{\partial x^3} + \frac{\partial f(x,t)}{\partial t} = 5$$ + +is a $3$-rd order equation because of the third derivative with respect to x +in the equation. + +To begin, we demonstrate that PDE's are of fundamental importance in physics, +especially in quantum physics. In particular, the Schrödinger equation, +which is of central importance in quantum physics is a partial differential +equation with respect to time and space. This equation is very important +because it describes the evolution in time and space of the entire description +of a quantum system $\psi(x,t)$, which is known as the wavefunction. + +For a free particle in one dimension, the Schrödinger equation is + +$$i \hbar \frac{\partial \psi(x,t)}{\partial t} = - \frac{\hbar^2}{2m} \frac{\partial^2 \psi(x,t)}{\partial x^2}. $$ + +When we studied ODEs, an initial condition was necessary in order to fully +specify a solution. Similarly, in the study of PDEs an initial condition is +required but now boundary conditions are also required. Going back to the +intuitive discussion from the lecture on ODEs, each of these conditions is +necassary in order to specify an integration constant that occurs in solving +the equation. In partial differential equations at least one such constant will +arise from the time derivative and likewise at least one from the spatial +derivative. + +For the Schrödinger equation, we could supply the initial conditions + +$$\psi(x,0)= \psi_{0}(x) \ & \ \psi(0,t) = \psi{t, L} = 0.$$ + +This particular set of boundary conditions corresponds to a particle in a box, +a situation which is used as the base model for many derivations in quantum +physics. + +Another example of a partial differential equation common in physics is the +Laplace equation + +$$\frac{\partial^2 \phi(x,y)}{\partial x^2}+\frac{\partial^2 \phi(x,y)}{\partial y^2}=0.$$ + +In quantum physics Laplace's equation is important for the study of the hydrogen +atom. In three dimensions and using spherical coordinates, the solutions to +Laplace's equation are special functions called spherical harmonics. In the +context of the hydrogen atom, these functions describe the wave function of the +system and a unique spherical harmonic function corresponds to each distinct set +of quantum numbers. + +In the study of PDEs there is not a comprehensive overall treatment to the same +extent as there is for ODEs. There are several techniques which can be applied +to solving these equations, but the choice of technique must be tailored to the +equation at hand. Hence we focus on some specific examples that are common in +physics. + +### Separation of variables + +Let us focus on the one dimensional Schrödinger equation of a free particle + +$$i \hbar \frac{\partial \psi(x,t)}{\partial t} = - \frac{\hbar^2}{2m} \frac{\partial^2 \psi(x,t)}{\partial x^2}. $$ + +To attempt a solution, we will make a *separation ansatz*, + +$$\psi(x,t)=\phi(x) f(t).$$ + +!!! info "Separation ansatz" + The separation ansatz is a restrictive ansatz, not a fully general one. In + general, for such a treatment to be valid an equation and the boundary + conditions given with it have to fulfill certain properties. In this course + however you will only be asked to use this technique when it is suitable. + +Substituting the separation ansatz into the PDE, + +$$i \hbar \frac{\partial \phi(x)f(t)}{\partial t} = - \frac{\hbar^2}{2m} \frac{\partial^2 \phi(x)f(t)}{\partial x^2} $$ +$$i \hbar \dot{f}(t) \phi(x) = - \frac{\hbar^2}{2m} \phi''(x)f(t). $$ + +Notice that in the above equation the derivatives on $f$ and $\phi$ can each be +written as ordinary derivatives, $\dot{f}=\frac{df(t)}{dt}$, +$\phi''(x)=\frac{d^2 \phi}{dx^2}$. This is so because each is only a function of +one variable. + +Next, divide both sides of the equation through by $\psi(x,t)=\phi(x) f(t)$, + +$$i \hbar \frac{\dot{f}(t)}{f(t)} = - \frac{\hbar^2}{2m} \frac{\phi''(x)}{\phi(x)} = constant := \lambda. $$ + +In the previous line we concluded that each part of the equation must be equal +to a constant, which we defined as $\lambda$. This follows because the left hand +side of the equation only has a dependence on the spatial coordinate $x$, whereas +the right hand side only has dependence on the time coordinate $t$. If we have +two functions $a(x)$ and $b(t)$ such that +$a(x)=b(t) \ \forall x, \ t \ \epsilon \mathbb{R}$, then $a(x)=b(t)=const$. + +The constant we defined, $lambda$, is called a *separation constant*. With it, we +can break the spatial and time dependent parts of the equation into two separate +equations, + +$$i \hbar \dot{f}(t) = \lambda f(t)$$ + +$$-\frac{\hbar^2}{2m} \phi''(x) = \lambda \phi(x) .$$ + +To summarize, this process has broken one partial differential equation into two +ordinary differential equations of different variables. In order to do this, we +needed to introduce a separation constant, which remains to be determined. + +### Boundary and eigenvalue problems + +Continuing on with the Schrödinger equation example from the previous +section, let us focus on + +$$-\frac{\hbar^2}{2m} \phi''(x) = \lambda \phi(x),$$ +$$\phi(0)=\phi(L)=0.$$ + +This has the form of an eigenvalue equation, in which $\lambda$ is the +eigenvalue, $- \frac{\hbar^2}{2m} \frac{d^2}{dx^2}[\cdot]$ is the linear +operator and $\phi(x)$ is the eigenfunction. + +Notice that when stating the ordinary differential equation, it is specified +along with it's boundary conditions. Note that in contrast to an initial value +problem, a boundary value problem does not always have a solution. For example, +in the figure below, regardless of the initial slope, the curves never reach $0$ +when $x=L$. + + + +For boundary value problems like this, there are only solutions for particular +eigenvalues $\lambda$. Coming back to the example, it turns out that solutions +only exist for $\lambda>0$ --this can be shown quickly, feel free to try it! +Define for simplicity $k^2:= \frac{2m \lambda}{\hbar^2}$. The equation then +reads + +$$\phi''(x)+k^2 \phi(x)=0.$$ + +Two linearly independent solutions to this equation are + +$$\phi_{1}(x)=sin(k x), \ \phi_{2}(x) = cos(k x).$$ + +The solution to this homogeneous equation is then + +$$\phi(x)=c_1 \phi_1(x)+c_2 \phi_2(x).$$ + +The eigenvalue, $\lambda$ as well as one of the constant coefficients can be +determined using the boundary conditions. + +$$\phi(0)=0 \ \Rightarrow \ \phi(x)=c_1 sin(k x), \ c_2=0.$$ + +$$\phi(L)=0 \ \Rightarrow \ 0=c_1 sin(k L) .$$ + +In turn, using the properties of the $sin(\cdot)$ function, it is now possible +to find the allowed values of $k$ and hence also $\lambda$. The previous +equation implies, + +$$k L = n \pi, \ n \ \epsilon \ \mathbb{N}$$ + +$$\lambda_n = \big{(}\frac{n \pi \hbar}{L} \big{)}^2.$$ + +The values $\lambda_n$ are the eigenvalues. Now that we have determined +$\lambda$, it enters into the time equation, $i \hbar \dot{f}(t) = \lambda f(t)$ +only as a constant. We can hence simply solve, + +$$\dot{f}(t) = -i \frac{\lambda}{\hbar} f(t)$$ + +$$f(t) = A e^{\frac{-i \lambda t}{\hbar}}.$$ + +In the previous equation, the coefficient $A$ can be determined if the original +PDE was supplied with an initial condition. + +Putting the solutions to the two ODEs together and redefining +$\tilde{A}=A \cdot c_1$, we arrive at the solutions for theb PDE, + +$\psi_n(x,t) = \tilde{A}_n e^{-i \frac{\lambda_n t}{\hbar}} sin(\frac{n \pi x}{L}).$ + +Notice that there is one solution $\psi_{n}(x,t)$ for each natural number $n$. +These are still very special solutions. We will begin discussing next how to +obtain the general solution in our example. + + +## Self-adjoint differential operators + +<iframe width="100%" height=315 src="https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/p4MHW0yMMvY?rel=0" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe> + + +As we hinted was possible earlier, let us re-write the previous equation by +defining a linear operator, $L$, acting on the space of functions which satisfy +$\phi(0)=\phi(L)=0$: + +$$L[\cdot]:= \frac{- \hbar^2}{2m} \frac{d^2}{dx^2}[\cdot]. $$ + +Then, the ODE can be writted as + +$$L[\phi]=\lambda \phi.$$ + +This equation looks exactly like, and turns out to be, an eigenvalue equation! + +!!! info "Connecting function spaces to Hilbert spaces" + + Recall that a space of functions can be transformed into a Hilbert space by + equipping it with a inner product, + + $$\langle f, g \rangle = \int^{L}_{0} dx f*(x) g(x) $$ + + Use of this inner product also has utility in demonstrating that particular + operators are *Hermitian*. The term hermitian is precisely defined below. + Of considerable interest is that hermition operators have a set of nice + properties including all real eigenvalues and orthonormal eigenfunctions. + +The nicest type of operators for many practical purposes are hermitian +operators. In quantum physics for example, any physical operator must be +hermitian. Denote a hilbert space $\mathcal{H}$. An opertor +$H: \mathcal{H} \mapsto \mathcal{H}$ is said to be hermitian if it satisfies + +$$\langle f, H g \rangle = \langle H f, g \rangle \ \forall \ f, \ g \ \epsilon \ \mathcal{H}.$$ + +Now, we would like to investigate whether the operator we have been working with, +$L$ satisfies the criterion of being hermitian over the function space +$\phi(0)=\phi(L)=0$ equipped with the above defined inner product (i.e. it is a +Hilbert space). Denote this Hilbert space $\mathcal{H}_{0}$ and consider let +$f, \ g \ \epsilon \ \mathcal{H}_0$ denote two functions from the Hilbert space. +Then, we can investigate + +$$\langle f, L g \rangle = \frac{- \hbar^2}{2m} \int^{L}_{0} dx f*(x) \frac{d^2}{dx^2}g(x).$$ + +As a first step, it is possible to do integration by parts in the integral, + +$$\langle f, L g \rangle = \frac{+ \hbar^2}{2m} ( \int^{L}_{0} dx \frac{d f*}{dx} \frac{d g}{dx} - [f*(x)\frac{d g}{dx}] \big{|}^{L}_{0} )$$ + +The boundary term vansishes, due to the boundary conditions $f(0)=f(L)=0$, +which directly imply $f*(0)=f*(L)=0$. Now, intergrate by parts a second time + +$$\langle f, L g \rangle = \frac{- \hbar^2}{2m} (\int^{L}_{0} dx \frac{d^2 f*}{dx^2} g(x) - [\frac{d f*}{dx} g(x)] \big{|}^{L}_{0} ).$$ + +As before, the boundary term vanishes, due to the boundary conditions +$g(0)=g(L)=0$. Upon cancelling the boundary term however, the expression on +the right hand side, contained in the integral is simply +$\langle L f, g \rangle$. Therefore, + +$$\langle f, L g \rangle=\langle L f, g \rangle. $$ + +We have demonstrated that $L$ is a hermitian operator on the space +$\mathcal{H}_0$. As a hermitian operator, $L$ has the property that it's +eigenfunctions form an orthonormal basis for the space $\mathcal{H}_0$. Hence it +is possible to expand any function $f \ \epsilon \ \mathcal{H}_0$ in terms of +the eigenfunctions of $L$. + +!!! info "Connection to quantum states" + + Recall that q quantum state $\ket{\phi}$ can be written in an orthonormal + basis $\{ \ket{u_n} \}$ as + $$\ket{\phi} = \underset{n}{\Sigma} \bra{u_n} \ket{\phi} \ket{u_n}.$$ + + In terms of hermitian operators and their eigenfunctions, the eigenfunctions + play the role of the orthonormal basis. In reference to our running example, + the 1D Schrödinger equation of a free particle, the eigenfunctions + $sin(\frac{n \pi x}{L})$ play the role of the basis functions $\ket{u_n}$. + +To close our running example, consider the initial condition +$\psi(x,o) = \psi_{0}(x)$. Since the eigenfunctions $sin(\frac{n \pi x}{L})$ +form a basis, we can now write the general solution to the problem as + +$$\psi(x,t) = \overset{\infinity}{\underset{n}{\Sigma}} c_n e^{-i \frac{\lambda_n t}{\hbar}} sin(\frac{n \pi x}{L}),$$ + +where in the above we have defined the coefficients using the Fourier +coefficient, + +$$c_n:= \int^{L}_{0} dx sin(\frac{n \pi x}{L}) \psi_{0}(x). $$ + +### General recipie for seperable PDEs + +1. Make the separation ansatz to obtain separate ordinary differential + equations. +2. Choose which euation to treat as the eigenvalue equation. This will depend + upon the boundary conditions. Additionally, verify that the linear + differential operator $L$ in the eigenvalue equation is hermitian. +3.Solve the eigenvalue equation. Substitute the eigenvalues into the other + equations and solve those too. +4. Use the orthonormal basis functions to write down the solution corresponding + to the specified initial and boundary conditions. + +One natural question is what if the operator $L$ from setp 2 is not hermitian? +It is possible to try and make it hermitian by working on a Hilbert space +equipped with a different inner product. This means one can consider +modifications to the definition of $\langle \cdot, \cdot \rangle$ such that $L$ +is hermitian with respect to the modified inner product. This type of technique +falls under the umbrella of *Sturm-Liouville Theory*, which forms the foundation +for a lot of the analysis that can be done analytically on PDEs. + +Another question is of course what if the equation is not separable? One +possible approach is to try working in a different coordinate system. There are +a few more analytic techniques available, however in many situations it becomes +necessary to work with numerical methods of solution. + +### Problems + +1. [:grinning:] Which of the following equations for $y(x)$ is linear? + + (a) y''' - y'' + x cos(x) y' + y - 1 = 0 + + (b) y''' + 4 x y' - cos(x) y = 0 + + (c) y'' + y y' = 0 + + (d) y'' + e^x y' - x y = 0 + +2. [:grinning:] Find the general solution to the equation + + $$y'' - 4 y' + 4 y = 0. $$ + + Show explicitly by computing the Wronski determinant that the + basis for the solution space is actually linearly independent. + +3. [:grinning:] Find the general solution to the equation + + $$y''' - y'' + y' - y = 0.$$ + + Then find the solution to the initial conditions $y''(0) =0$, $y'(0)=1$, $y(0)=0$. + +4. [:smirk:] Take the Laplace equation in 2D: + + $$\frac{\partial^2 \phi(x,y)}{\partial x^2} + \frac{\partial^2 \phi(x,y)}{\partial y^2} = 0.$$ + + (a) Make a separation ansatz $\phi(x,y) = f(x)g(y)$ and write + down the resulting ordinary differential equations. + + (b) Now assume that the boundary conditions $\phi(0,y) = \phi(L,y) =0$ for + all y, i.e. f(0)=f(L)=0. Find all solutions $f(x)$ and the + corresponding eigenvalues. + + (c) Finally, for each eigenvalue, find the general solution $g(y)$ for + this eigenvalue. Combine this with all solutions $f(x)$ to write down + the general solution (we know from the lecture that the operator + $\frac{d^2}{dx^2}$ is Hermitian - you can thus directly assume that + the solutions form an orthogonal basis). + +5. [:smirk:] Take the partial differential equation + + $$\frac{\partial h(x,y)}{\partial x} + x \frac{\partial h(x,y)}{\partial y} = 0. $$ + + Try to make a separation ansatz $h(x,y)=f(x)g(y)$. What do you observe? + +6. [:sweat:] We consider the Hilbert space of functions $f(x)$ defined + for $x \ \epsilon \ [0,L]$ with $f(0)=f(L)=0$. + + Which of the following operators on this space is hermitian? + + (a) Lf = A(x) \frac{d^2 f}{dx^2} + + (b) Lf = \frac{d}{dx} \big{()} A(x) \frac{df}{dx} \big{)} + diff --git a/src/figures/DE2_1.png b/src/figures/DE2_1.png new file mode 100644 index 0000000000000000000000000000000000000000..3c981788d84e102f35911d13f30b2cd79697ab99 Binary files /dev/null and b/src/figures/DE2_1.png differ