Chapter 2 Poisson’s Equation University of （第二章泊松方程大学）.pdf

Chapter 2 Poisson’s Equation 2.1 Physical Origins Poisson’s equation, 2 ∇ Φ = σ (x), arises in many varied physical situations. Here σ (x) is the “source term”, and is often zero, either everywhere or everywhere bar some specific region (maybe only specific points). In this case, Laplace’s equation, 2 ∇ Φ = 0, results. The Diffusion Equation Consider some quantity Φ(x) which diffuses. (This might be say the concentration of some (dilute) chemical solute, as a function of position x, or the temperature T in some heat conducting medium, which behaves in an entirely analogous way.) There is a cor- responding flux , F, of Φ – that is, the amount crossing an (imaginary) unit area per unit time. Experimentally, it is known that, in the case of a solute, the flux is given by F = −k∇Φ where k is the diffusivity; in the case of temperature, the flux of heat is given by F = −k∇T where k is the coefficient of heat conductivity. (Note that the minus sign occurs because the flux is directed towards regions of lower concentration.) The governing equation for this diffusion process is ∂Φ 2 = k∇ Φ ∂t 19 © R. E. Hunt, 2002 where k is referred to, generically, as the diffusion constant. If we are interested in the steady-state distribution of solute or of temperature, then ∂Φ/∂t = 0 and Laplace’s 2 equation, ∇ Φ = 0, follows. When there are sources S (x) of solute (for example, where solute is piped in or whe