[Math] Heat Equation $1D$ with forcing term

partial differential equations

For an one-dimensional bar that goes from $x=0$ to $x=1$ and with $t$ belonging to $0$ to $+\infty$.

$u_t=u_{xx}+\sin\pi x+\sin 2\pi x\\
u(0,t)=u(1,t)=0\\
u(x,0)=0$


I recognize that this is a forced heat equation problem, with homogeneous Dirichlet boundary conditions and an initial condition fairly unusual.

I suspect that I have to first solve the homogeneous cousin $u_t=u_{xx}$ with same conditions and later try to find the non-homogeneous solution. But the initial condition puts the fourier coefficients equal zero, meaning trivial solution.

What am I not understanding?

Best Answer

FIrst solve the equation $$ u''=-\sin \pi x-\sin 2\pi x, $$ subject to the boundary conditions $$ u(0)=u(1)=0. $$ This problem has solution $$ u_{st}=\frac{1}{\pi^2}\sin \pi x+\frac{1}{2^2\pi^2}\sin 2\pi x. $$ Now put $u(x,t)=u_{st}+v(x,t)$. Make sure that you understand that $v(x,t)$ solves the problem $$ v_t=v_{xx},\\ v(0,t)=0,\\ v(1,t)=0,\\ v(x,0)=-u_{st}. $$ Note the initial condition.

Now you can solve it to find $$ v(x,t)=-\frac{1}{\pi^2}e^{-\pi^2 t}\sin \pi x-\frac{1}{2^2\pi^2}e^{-2^2\pi^2t}\sin 2\pi x. $$ Finally write $$ u(x,t)=\underbrace{v(x,t)}_{\mbox{transient part}}+\underbrace{u_{st}}_{\mbox{stationary part}} $$