Practice Problem Sheet 4 Physics 2400: Mathematical Methods for Physics
Physics 2400: Mathematical Methods for Physics
Undergraduate Course – Spring 2026
Practice Problem Sheet 4
Problem 1: Cartesian coordinates
1. Illustrate the method of separating a partial differential equation into ordinary differ-
ential equations by using the Helmholtz equation as an example:
(∇2 + k 2 )u = 0, (1)
where ∇2 is the Laplacian in three-dimensional Cartesian coordinates and k is a con-
stant. Choose the signs of the separation constants such that the solutions in the x
and y directions are oscillatory.
2. Reproduce the solution of Laplace’s equation in two-dimensional Cartesian coordinates,
and verify independently that you obtain the same solution as derived in class.
Then, determine the steady-state temperature distribution of a thin rectangular plate
bounded by the lines x = 0, x = a, y = 0, and y = b, assuming that the edges
x = 0, x = a, and y = 0 are maintained at zero temperature, while the edge y = b is
maintained at a steady-state temperature F (x).
Problem 2: Polar and Cylindrical coordinates
1. Reproduce the solution of Laplace’s equation in two-dimensional polar coordinates
(r, θ), and verify independently that you obtain the same solution as derived in class.
In your calculation, carefully discuss the cases in which n is an integer and when it is
not. Determine whether nontrivial solutions exist when n = 0.
2. Solve Laplace’s equation in cylindrical coordinates (r, θ, z). Choose the signs of the
separation constants such that the solution is exponential in the z-direction. The
radial equation will then lead to Bessel’s differential equation, and the θ-dependent
solution will be oscillatory. Write down your general solution. As a next step, discuss
what happens if we require the solution to be single-valued in θ. Note that the solutions
of Laplace’s equation in this case are called “cylindrical harmonics”. (In the previous
problem, you obtained “circular harmonics”, which were also introduced in class.)
3. Consider a semi-circular plate of radius a. The diameter of the plate is held at zero
temperature, while the temperature along the curved boundary is maintained at T .
Determine the steady-state temperature distribution of the plate.
4. Consider time-dependent heat flow in a circular plate of radius a, whose edge is main-
tained at zero temperature. Assume that the initial temperature distribution of the
1
Practice Problem Sheet 4 Physics 2400: Mathematical Methods for Physics
plate depends only on the radial coordinate r. Determine the temperature distribu-
tion in the plate at some r at a later time t. (Because both the boundary condition
and the initial temperature depend only on r, the temperature distribution remains
independent of θ for all later times.)
This problem provides an important example in which the radial part of the solution
leads naturally to a Bessel–Fourier series. The coefficients of the expansion can be
determined using the orthogonality property of Bessel functions,
Z a
a2 2
r J0 (kn r) J0 (km r) dr = J (kn a) δnm . (2)
0 2 1
5. An infinite, uncharged conducting cylinder of radius a is placed with its axis perpendic-
⃗ Find the potential in the region outside
ular to a uniform electric field of strength E.
the cylinder. Note that the boundary conditions are:
a) V = 0 at r = a, since the cylinder is perfectly conducting. Its surface is an
equipotential, and we may take the potential to be zero.
b) V = −E ⃗ ·⃗r as r → ∞, since the potential must remain finite at infinity and match
the original field. Of course, locally there is a distortion of the field in the vicinity
of the cylinder.
Problem 3: Spherical coordinates
Reproduce the solution of Laplace’s equation in spherical coordinates (r, θ, ϕ), and indepen-
dently verify that you obtain the same solution as derived in class.
a) Next, consider the case of spherical symmetry (i.e., ϕ-independence). First, explain
the type of symmetry this represents, and then illustrate it with a figure. Finally,
determine the solution of Laplace’s equation in this case.
b) As an application of your result, consider a spherical surface of radius a is held at a
fixed potential given by
V (a, θ) = V0 cos θ. (3)
Determine the electrostatic potential in the region outside the sphere (r ≥ a).