The function ϕ(x,y,z) satisfies ∇2ϕ=0 in V and ϕ=0 on S, where V is a region of R3 which is bounded by the surface S. Prove that ϕ=0 everywhere in V.
Deduce that there is at most one function ψ(x,y,z) satisfying ∇2ψ=ρ in V and ψ=f on S, where ρ(x,y,z) and f(x,y,z) are given functions.
Given that the function ψ=ψ(r) depends only on the radial coordinate r=∣x∣, use Cartesian coordinates to show that
∇ψ=r1drdψx,∇2ψ=r1dr2d2(rψ)
Find the general solution in this radial case for ∇2ψ=c where c is a constant.
Find solutions ψ(r) for a solid sphere of radius r=2 with a central cavity of radius r=1 in the following three regions:
(i) 0⩽r⩽1 where ∇2ψ=0 and ψ(1)=1 and ψ bounded as r→0;
(ii) 1⩽r⩽2 where ∇2ψ=1 and ψ(1)=ψ(2)=1;
(iii) r⩾2 where ∇2ψ=0 and ψ(2)=1 and ψ→0 as r→∞.