Are characteristics the only solution to the advection equation in 1+1D?

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I'm currently reading about fluid dynamics and the Riemann problem, and a very commonly used equation to introduce the topic is the 1+1D advection equation with constant coefficient $v$:



$$ fracpartial upartial t + v fracpartial upartial x = 0tag1$$



for which a solution is
$$ u(x,t) = u(x-vt, 0) = u_0(x-vt) $$
where $u_0 = u(t=0)$ is some initial condition.



This can be easily derived using the method of separation of variables: Let $u(x,t) = f(x)g(y)$.
Then
$$ fracpartial upartial t = f(x) fracpartial gpartial t$$



$$ fracpartial upartial x = g(t) fracpartial fpartial x
$$

Inserting into the advection equation and restructuring a little, we get



$$frac1g fracpartial gpartial t = frac1ffracpartial fpartial x = -lambda $$



where $lambda$ is some constant. Solving each equation separately gives us



$$ g = K_1 e^-lambda v t $$
$$ f = K_2 e^lambda x $$
$$ Rightarrow u(x,t) = fg = K e^lambda (x - vt) $$



with $K_1$, $K_2$ and $K=K_1 K_2$ are constants stemming from integration.
With
$$u_0 = u(x,t=0) = K e^lambda x$$
one can easily see that the solution can be expressed as
$$u(x,t) = u_0(x-vt)$$



So far, so good. Here's my question: Is that the only solution of the 1+1D advection equation with constant coefficients? Is there a proof that this is the only solution?










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  • I voted to migrate this to Mathematics.
    – AccidentalFourierTransform
    1 hour ago















up vote
3
down vote

favorite
1












I'm currently reading about fluid dynamics and the Riemann problem, and a very commonly used equation to introduce the topic is the 1+1D advection equation with constant coefficient $v$:



$$ fracpartial upartial t + v fracpartial upartial x = 0tag1$$



for which a solution is
$$ u(x,t) = u(x-vt, 0) = u_0(x-vt) $$
where $u_0 = u(t=0)$ is some initial condition.



This can be easily derived using the method of separation of variables: Let $u(x,t) = f(x)g(y)$.
Then
$$ fracpartial upartial t = f(x) fracpartial gpartial t$$



$$ fracpartial upartial x = g(t) fracpartial fpartial x
$$

Inserting into the advection equation and restructuring a little, we get



$$frac1g fracpartial gpartial t = frac1ffracpartial fpartial x = -lambda $$



where $lambda$ is some constant. Solving each equation separately gives us



$$ g = K_1 e^-lambda v t $$
$$ f = K_2 e^lambda x $$
$$ Rightarrow u(x,t) = fg = K e^lambda (x - vt) $$



with $K_1$, $K_2$ and $K=K_1 K_2$ are constants stemming from integration.
With
$$u_0 = u(x,t=0) = K e^lambda x$$
one can easily see that the solution can be expressed as
$$u(x,t) = u_0(x-vt)$$



So far, so good. Here's my question: Is that the only solution of the 1+1D advection equation with constant coefficients? Is there a proof that this is the only solution?










share|cite|improve this question























  • I voted to migrate this to Mathematics.
    – AccidentalFourierTransform
    1 hour ago













up vote
3
down vote

favorite
1









up vote
3
down vote

favorite
1






1





I'm currently reading about fluid dynamics and the Riemann problem, and a very commonly used equation to introduce the topic is the 1+1D advection equation with constant coefficient $v$:



$$ fracpartial upartial t + v fracpartial upartial x = 0tag1$$



for which a solution is
$$ u(x,t) = u(x-vt, 0) = u_0(x-vt) $$
where $u_0 = u(t=0)$ is some initial condition.



This can be easily derived using the method of separation of variables: Let $u(x,t) = f(x)g(y)$.
Then
$$ fracpartial upartial t = f(x) fracpartial gpartial t$$



$$ fracpartial upartial x = g(t) fracpartial fpartial x
$$

Inserting into the advection equation and restructuring a little, we get



$$frac1g fracpartial gpartial t = frac1ffracpartial fpartial x = -lambda $$



where $lambda$ is some constant. Solving each equation separately gives us



$$ g = K_1 e^-lambda v t $$
$$ f = K_2 e^lambda x $$
$$ Rightarrow u(x,t) = fg = K e^lambda (x - vt) $$



with $K_1$, $K_2$ and $K=K_1 K_2$ are constants stemming from integration.
With
$$u_0 = u(x,t=0) = K e^lambda x$$
one can easily see that the solution can be expressed as
$$u(x,t) = u_0(x-vt)$$



So far, so good. Here's my question: Is that the only solution of the 1+1D advection equation with constant coefficients? Is there a proof that this is the only solution?










share|cite|improve this question















I'm currently reading about fluid dynamics and the Riemann problem, and a very commonly used equation to introduce the topic is the 1+1D advection equation with constant coefficient $v$:



$$ fracpartial upartial t + v fracpartial upartial x = 0tag1$$



for which a solution is
$$ u(x,t) = u(x-vt, 0) = u_0(x-vt) $$
where $u_0 = u(t=0)$ is some initial condition.



This can be easily derived using the method of separation of variables: Let $u(x,t) = f(x)g(y)$.
Then
$$ fracpartial upartial t = f(x) fracpartial gpartial t$$



$$ fracpartial upartial x = g(t) fracpartial fpartial x
$$

Inserting into the advection equation and restructuring a little, we get



$$frac1g fracpartial gpartial t = frac1ffracpartial fpartial x = -lambda $$



where $lambda$ is some constant. Solving each equation separately gives us



$$ g = K_1 e^-lambda v t $$
$$ f = K_2 e^lambda x $$
$$ Rightarrow u(x,t) = fg = K e^lambda (x - vt) $$



with $K_1$, $K_2$ and $K=K_1 K_2$ are constants stemming from integration.
With
$$u_0 = u(x,t=0) = K e^lambda x$$
one can easily see that the solution can be expressed as
$$u(x,t) = u_0(x-vt)$$



So far, so good. Here's my question: Is that the only solution of the 1+1D advection equation with constant coefficients? Is there a proof that this is the only solution?







fluid-dynamics waves mathematics differential-equations






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edited 37 mins ago









Qmechanic

99.1k121781096




99.1k121781096










asked 6 hours ago









lemdan

877




877











  • I voted to migrate this to Mathematics.
    – AccidentalFourierTransform
    1 hour ago

















  • I voted to migrate this to Mathematics.
    – AccidentalFourierTransform
    1 hour ago
















I voted to migrate this to Mathematics.
– AccidentalFourierTransform
1 hour ago





I voted to migrate this to Mathematics.
– AccidentalFourierTransform
1 hour ago











2 Answers
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4
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Yes, it is the only solution. Hints for proof:



  1. Go to lightcone coordinates: $x^pm~:=~x pm vt$.


  2. Show that OP's eq. (1) in 1+1D becomes $fracpartial upartial x^+~=~0$.


  3. Deduce that $u=u(x^-)$ is a function of $x^-$ only.






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  • I see that using $fracpartial upartial x^+ = 0$ implies that $u = u(x^ -)$, but I don't see how that excludes any other solution?
    – lemdan
    4 hours ago










  • There are only 2 coordinates $(x^+,x^-)$ in 1+1D and $u$ cannot depend on $x^+$. So the above conclusion follows.
    – Qmechanic
    38 mins ago


















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2
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The equation is linear, and the solution to a linear equation in one unknown is always unique.






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    2 Answers
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    2 Answers
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    up vote
    4
    down vote













    Yes, it is the only solution. Hints for proof:



    1. Go to lightcone coordinates: $x^pm~:=~x pm vt$.


    2. Show that OP's eq. (1) in 1+1D becomes $fracpartial upartial x^+~=~0$.


    3. Deduce that $u=u(x^-)$ is a function of $x^-$ only.






    share|cite|improve this answer






















    • I see that using $fracpartial upartial x^+ = 0$ implies that $u = u(x^ -)$, but I don't see how that excludes any other solution?
      – lemdan
      4 hours ago










    • There are only 2 coordinates $(x^+,x^-)$ in 1+1D and $u$ cannot depend on $x^+$. So the above conclusion follows.
      – Qmechanic
      38 mins ago















    up vote
    4
    down vote













    Yes, it is the only solution. Hints for proof:



    1. Go to lightcone coordinates: $x^pm~:=~x pm vt$.


    2. Show that OP's eq. (1) in 1+1D becomes $fracpartial upartial x^+~=~0$.


    3. Deduce that $u=u(x^-)$ is a function of $x^-$ only.






    share|cite|improve this answer






















    • I see that using $fracpartial upartial x^+ = 0$ implies that $u = u(x^ -)$, but I don't see how that excludes any other solution?
      – lemdan
      4 hours ago










    • There are only 2 coordinates $(x^+,x^-)$ in 1+1D and $u$ cannot depend on $x^+$. So the above conclusion follows.
      – Qmechanic
      38 mins ago













    up vote
    4
    down vote










    up vote
    4
    down vote









    Yes, it is the only solution. Hints for proof:



    1. Go to lightcone coordinates: $x^pm~:=~x pm vt$.


    2. Show that OP's eq. (1) in 1+1D becomes $fracpartial upartial x^+~=~0$.


    3. Deduce that $u=u(x^-)$ is a function of $x^-$ only.






    share|cite|improve this answer














    Yes, it is the only solution. Hints for proof:



    1. Go to lightcone coordinates: $x^pm~:=~x pm vt$.


    2. Show that OP's eq. (1) in 1+1D becomes $fracpartial upartial x^+~=~0$.


    3. Deduce that $u=u(x^-)$ is a function of $x^-$ only.







    share|cite|improve this answer














    share|cite|improve this answer



    share|cite|improve this answer








    edited 37 mins ago

























    answered 5 hours ago









    Qmechanic

    99.1k121781096




    99.1k121781096











    • I see that using $fracpartial upartial x^+ = 0$ implies that $u = u(x^ -)$, but I don't see how that excludes any other solution?
      – lemdan
      4 hours ago










    • There are only 2 coordinates $(x^+,x^-)$ in 1+1D and $u$ cannot depend on $x^+$. So the above conclusion follows.
      – Qmechanic
      38 mins ago

















    • I see that using $fracpartial upartial x^+ = 0$ implies that $u = u(x^ -)$, but I don't see how that excludes any other solution?
      – lemdan
      4 hours ago










    • There are only 2 coordinates $(x^+,x^-)$ in 1+1D and $u$ cannot depend on $x^+$. So the above conclusion follows.
      – Qmechanic
      38 mins ago
















    I see that using $fracpartial upartial x^+ = 0$ implies that $u = u(x^ -)$, but I don't see how that excludes any other solution?
    – lemdan
    4 hours ago




    I see that using $fracpartial upartial x^+ = 0$ implies that $u = u(x^ -)$, but I don't see how that excludes any other solution?
    – lemdan
    4 hours ago












    There are only 2 coordinates $(x^+,x^-)$ in 1+1D and $u$ cannot depend on $x^+$. So the above conclusion follows.
    – Qmechanic
    38 mins ago





    There are only 2 coordinates $(x^+,x^-)$ in 1+1D and $u$ cannot depend on $x^+$. So the above conclusion follows.
    – Qmechanic
    38 mins ago











    up vote
    2
    down vote













    The equation is linear, and the solution to a linear equation in one unknown is always unique.






    share|cite|improve this answer
























      up vote
      2
      down vote













      The equation is linear, and the solution to a linear equation in one unknown is always unique.






      share|cite|improve this answer






















        up vote
        2
        down vote










        up vote
        2
        down vote









        The equation is linear, and the solution to a linear equation in one unknown is always unique.






        share|cite|improve this answer












        The equation is linear, and the solution to a linear equation in one unknown is always unique.







        share|cite|improve this answer












        share|cite|improve this answer



        share|cite|improve this answer










        answered 2 hours ago









        Chester Miller

        13.4k2623




        13.4k2623



























             

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