# Thread: Laplaces Equation using polar coordinates

1. ## Laplaces Equation using polar coordinates

I would be very grateful if someone could explain how you go out finding the form of the solution to this problem?

2. Originally Posted by LHS
I would be very grateful if someone could explain how you go out finding the form of the solution to this problem?

Have your tried expanding the solution is a Fourier series?

$\displaystyle \Delta T(x,y)=\left(\frac{\partial T^2}{\partial r^2} +\frac{1}{r}\frac{\partial T}{\partial r}+\frac{1}{r^2}\frac{\partial T^2}{\partial \theta^2}\right)=0$
in polar coordinates
Now use separation of variables with $T(r,\theta)=R(r)\Theta(\theta)$

3. So by expressing cos^2(theta) as 1/2+1/2 cos(2*theta) I can equate with the general solution to laplace in polars? which is

T(x,y)=A[0]+B[0]log(r)+ (the infinite summation from n=1 of) (A[n]r^n+B[n]r^-n)(C[n]cos(n theta)+D[n]sin(n theta))?

4. Originally Posted by LHS
So by expressing cos^2(theta) as 1/2+1/2 cos(2*theta) I can equate with the general solution to laplace in polars? which is

T(x,y)=A[0]+B[0]log(r)+ (the infinite summation from n=1 of) (A[n]r^n+B[n]r^-n)(C[n]cos(n theta)+D[n]sin(n theta))?
I think we are on the same page, but just to be sure

if you separate the equations you get

$r^2R''+rR'-\lambda^2R=0$ and

$\Theta''+\lambda^2\Theta=0$

So

$R(r)=c_1r^\lambda+c_2r^{-\lambda}$

Since the solution must be bounded as r goes to infinity $c_1=0$

This gives

$R(r)=c_2r^{-\lambda}$

Solving the theta equation gives

$\Theta(\theta)=d_1\sin(\lambda \theta)+d_2\cos(\lambda \theta)$

So

$T_\lambda(r,\theta)=r^{-\lambda}[d_1\sin(\lambda \theta)+d_2\cos(\lambda \theta)]$

Also note that $\displaystyle \cos^2(\theta)=\frac{1}{2}+\frac{1}{2}\cos(2\theta )$

Use this and orthogonality to get the solution.

5. Ah thanks, yes that's much clearer now!