Chapter 4: Laplace equation

We consider two particles of masses m and M, at P and Q as shown in

Figure Let r be the distance between them. Then, according to Newton’s
law of gravitation, a force proportional to the product of their masses, and
inversely proportional to the square of the distance between them, is given
in the form
GmM
F= 2 where G is the gravitational constant. It is customary in
r
potential theory to choose the unit of force so that G = 1.
mM
Thus, F= 2 If r represents the vector ⃗
PQ force per unit mass at Q due to
r
the mass at P may be written as
−m r⃗ m
F= 3 =⃗
⃗ ∇( )
r r

which is called the intensity of the gravitational field of force. We suppose

that a particle of unit mass moves under the attraction of the particle of mass
m at P from infinity up to Q. The work done by the force F is
r r
−∫ ⃗
F . d ⃗r =−∫ ⃗
∞ ∞
∇ ( mr ) . d r⃗ = −mr
This is called the potential at Q due to the particle at P. We denote this by
m
V= (scalar )
r

so that the intensity of force at P is F =⃗

⃗ ∇
m
r ( )
=− ⃗
∇V

We shall now consider a number of masses m1 ,m2 , … .mnwhose distances from

Q are r 1 , r 2 , … , r nrespectively. Then the force of attraction per unit mass at Q due
to the system is

( ) ( )
n n
mk mk
F =∑ ⃗
⃗ ∇ ∇∑
=⃗
k=1 rk k=1 r k
The work done by the forces acting on a particle of unit mass is

( )
r n
mk
∫ ⃗F . d r⃗ =∑ rk
=−V
∞ k=1

Then the potential satisfies the equation

( ) ( )
n n
mk 2 mk
2
∇ V =−∇
2
∑ rk
=−∑ ∇
rk
=0 as r k ≠ 0
k =1 k =1

In the case of a continuous distribution of mass in some volume R, we have

❑
ρ ( ξ , η ,ζ )
V ( x , y , z ) =∭ dr
R
r

where r =√ ( x−ξ ) + ( y −η ) + ( z−ζ )

2 2 2

and Q is outside the body. It immediately follows that

2
∇ V =0

This equation is called the Laplace equation, also known as the potential
equation.
Boundary Value Problem:
The First Boundary Value Problem: Let D be the interior of a simple closed
piecewise smooth curve B and f be a continuous function defined on boundary
B. Then the problem of finding a harmonic solution u ( x , y ) ∈ D such that it
coincides with f on the boundary B is called Dirichlet problem .
The Second Boundary Value Problem:((Neuman Problem) This involves
finding a harmonic function u ( x , y ) ∈ D∧satisfiesthe condition
∂u
=f ( s ) on B
∂n
∂
(where is directional derivative along outward normal)
∂n
❑
with∫ f ( s ) ds=0.
B

In fact the vanishing integral is a necessary condition for solution to exist.

The Third Boundary Value Problem: This involves finding a harmonic
function u ( x , y ) ∈ D∧satisfiesthe condition.
∂u
+ h ( s ) u ( s ) =0 on B whereh ( s ) ≥ 0 , h ( s ) ≠ 0
∂n
The Third Boundary Value Problem:(Robin problem): This involves finding
a harmonic function u ( x , y ) ∈ D∧satisfiesthe boundary conditions of different
types on different portions of the boundary B. For example
∂u
u=f 1 ( s ) on B1 , =f ( s ) on B2 where B=B1 ∪ B2.
∂n 2

In this lecture we shall discuss the solution of the Laplace equation with
Dirichlet type BC in cartesian coordinates.
Consider the PDE
u xx +u yy =0 , 0< x< a , 0< y <b with boundary condition

u ( x , 0 )=f 1 ( x ) ,u ( x ,b )=f 2 ( x ) , 0 ≤ x ≤ a …..(1)and

u ( 0 , y )=f 3 ( y ) , u ( a , y )=f 4 ( y ) , 0≤ y ≤ b ……(2)

We shall study how the method of separation of variables is still applicable for
the BVP. Since the BC are nonhomogeneous, we are required to do some
preliminary work. By the principle of superposition, we seek the solution of the
above BVP as u ( x , y )=u1 ( x , y )+u 2 ( x , y )+u 3 ( x , y )+ u4 ( x , y ) where each
u1 ( x , y ) ,u 2 ( x , y ) , u3 ( x , y )∧u 4 ( x , y ) satisfies the PDE with one of the original
nonhomogeneous BC, and the homogeneous versions of the remaining three
BC. These problems are then solved by the method of separation of variables.
Let us consider solving the following example problem:
EXAMPLE 1. Solve the Dirichlet BVP:
PDE: u xx +u yy=0 , 0< x< a , 0< y <b with boundary condition
u ( x , 0 )=f ( x ) ,u ( x , b )=0 ,0 ≤ x ≤ a …..(1)and

u ( 0 , y )=0 , u ( a , y )=0 , 0 ≤ y ≤ b ……(2)