This course consists of lectures and exercise, and contains the basics of the Fourier transform, special functions, partial differential equations, and the Laplace transform.
The aim is for students to be able to use these methods without hesitation when solving physics problems in the future.
At the end of this course, students will be able to apply Fourier transform, special functions, partial differential equations, and Laplace transform to problems in physics.
Fourier transform, gamma function, Legendre functions, Bessel functions, Hermite functions, Laguerre functions, partial differential equations, Green functions, Dirichlet problems, Laplace transform
✔ Specialist skills | Intercultural skills | Communication skills | Critical thinking skills | ✔ Practical and/or problem-solving skills |
In lecture class a (few) report problems may be assigned.
In every exercise class students will be given some problems and solve them.
Some explanations of their solutions will also be given.
Course schedule | Required learning | |
---|---|---|
Class 1 | Review of Fourier expansion and Fourier transform | Understand the Fourier transform as a limit of the Fourier expansion. |
Class 2 | Inverse Fourier transform, Dirac's delta function | Understand the definition of the delta function |
Class 3 | Distribution, application to differential equations | Try solving some differential equations by using Fourier transform |
Class 4 | Gamma function | Understand the definition of the Gamma function |
Class 5 | Stirling formula, Beta function | Derive the Stirling formula |
Class 6 | Legendre functions | Derive formulas of Legendre functions from their generating function. |
Class 7 | associated Legendre functions, Spherical harmonics | Understand the relation between associated Legendre functions and spherical harmonics. |
Class 8 | Bessel functions | Derive formulas of Bessel functions from their generating function |
Class 9 | Hankel functions, Neumann functions | Understand the relation between Hankel and Neumann functions and Bessel functions |
Class 10 | modified Bessel functions, spherical Bessel functions | Understand the relation among modified Bessel functions, spherical Bessel functions, and Bessel functions. |
Class 11 | Derive formulas of Hermite and Laguerre functions from their generating functions. | Derive formulas of Hermite and Laguerre functions from their generating functions. |
Class 12 | partial differential equations, Dirichlet problems | Understand the uniqueness of the solution of a Dirichlet problem. |
Class 13 | Green functions | Derive the Green function for the Laplace operator. |
Class 14 | Laplace transform | Understand the relation between Laplace transform and Fourier transform |
To enhance effective learning, students are encouraged to spend approximately 100 minutes preparing for class and another 100 minutes reviewing class content afterwards (including assignments) for each class.
They should do so by referring to textbooks and other course material.
Not required
Not required
Based on small exams, reports, etc
Students are required to have completed Applied Mathematics for Physicists and Scientists I