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Problem: We have $$u_{tt} = c^2\Delta u$$ on on $D\times (0, \infty)$ for some bounded region D in three dimensions, with $u=0$ on $\partial D \times (0, \infty)$.

Show that the energy integral,

$$ E(u) = \iiint_D (u_t^2 + c^2|\nabla u|^2)d\vec{x} $$ is constant.

My problem: I know I should begin by calculating $dE/dt$ but I am not sure how to do this. This is the only help I need as I know after this I should use greens formula.

My problem is that the integral is over $d\vec x$ where as I am attempting it over $dt$.

Thanks for any advice.

Shuhao Cao
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Tom C
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1 Answers1

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Suppose $u$ is smooth so that $u_{x_i t} = u_{tx_i}$ where $x_i$ is any spacial variable, and the energy is bounded, then we can put the differentiation inside the integral sign: $$ \frac{dE}{dt} = \iiint_D \frac{d}{dt}(u_{t}^2 + c^2|\nabla u|^2) dx $$ use the product rule: $$ \frac{dE}{dt} = \iiint_D \big(2u_t u_{tt} + 2c^2 \nabla u\cdot (\nabla u)_t\big)dx $$ Now $u_{tt} = c^2\Delta u$, hence $$ \frac{dE}{dt} = \iiint_D \big(2u_t c^2\Delta u + 2c^2 \nabla u\cdot (\nabla u)_t\big)dx $$ Use Green's identities (integration by parts using divergence theorem): $$\iiint_D \psi \Delta \varphi \,dx = -\iiint \nabla \varphi \cdot \nabla \psi\, dx +\iint_{\partial D} \psi ( \nabla \varphi \cdot \boldsymbol{n} )\, dS $$

where $\psi = u_t$, and $\varphi = u$ $$ \frac{dE}{dt} = \iiint_D \big(-2c^2\nabla u\cdot \nabla(u_t) +2 c^2 \nabla u\cdot (\nabla u)_t\big)dx + \iint_{\partial D} u_t ( \nabla u \cdot \boldsymbol{n} )\, dS $$ For the boundary part, for $u = 0$ on boundary for all time, hence $$ u_t ( \nabla u \cdot \boldsymbol{n} ) = u_t ( \nabla u \cdot \boldsymbol{n} ) + u ( \nabla u \cdot \boldsymbol{n} )_t = \big(u (\nabla u \cdot \boldsymbol{n} )\big)_t = 0 $$ for $u (\nabla u \cdot \boldsymbol{n} )$ is always zero on boundary regardless of time. Therefore: $$ \frac{dE}{dt} = \iiint_D \big(-2c^2\nabla u\cdot \nabla(u_t) +2 c^2 \nabla u\cdot (\nabla u)_t\big)dx $$ Now that $u$ is smooth thus $\nabla(u_t) = (\nabla u)_t$, we have $$ \frac{dE}{dt} = 0 $$ and the conservation of energy is proved.

Shuhao Cao
  • 18,935