Laplace Transform Methods for Partial Diff erential Equations 673
ANIMATION
> animate(u(x,t),x=0..10,t=0..10,thickness=3);
The preceding animation command shows the spatial-time wave amplitude distribution u(x, t)
on the string. The animation sequence here and in Figure 10.7 shows snapshots of the
animation at times t = 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.
ANIMATION SEQUENCE
> u(x,0):=subs(t=0,u(x,t)):u(x,1):=subs(t=1,u(x,t)):
> u(x,2):=subs(t=2,u(x,t)):u(x,3):=subs(t=3,u(x,t)):
> u(x,4):=subs(t=4,u(x,t)):u(x,5):=subs(t=5,u(x,t)):
> plot({u(x,0),u(x,1),u(x,2),u(x,3),u(x,4),u(x,5)},x=0..10,thickness=10);
x~
1.0
0.5
0
246810
2
0.5
Figure 10.7
EXAMPLE 10.7.2: (String falling under its own weight) We seek the wave amplitude
u(x, t) for transverse wave motion along a taut string over the semi-infinite interval
I ={x |0 <x<∞}. The left end of the string is held fixed. The string has the initial
displacement distribution f(x) = 0 and the initial speed distribution g(x) = 0. An external
force due to gravity (acceleration =−980 cm/sec
2
) is acting uniformly on the string, and we
assume no damping in the system. The wave speed is c = 2.
SOLUTION: The nonhomogeneous wave partial differential equation is
∂
2
∂t
2
u(x, t) = c
2
∂
2
∂x
2
u(x, t)
+h(x, t)
The boundary conditions are
u(0,t)= 0 and u(∞,t)<∞