The Heat Equation

A second-order linear elliptic partial differential equation that describes systems in a steady-state or equilibrium condition. It is written as [latex]nabla^2 u = 0[/latex] or [latex]Delta u = 0[/latex], where [latex]nabla^2[/latex] (or [latex]Delta[/latex]) is the Laplace operator. Solutions, called harmonic functions, are the smoothest possible functions and represent potentials in fields like electrostatics, gravitation, and fluid flow.

A reformulation of classical mechanics based on the principle of stationary action. It uses a scalar quantity called the Lagrangian, defined as kinetic energy minus potential energy ([latex]L = T - V[/latex]). The equations of motion are derived from the Euler-Lagrange equation, [latex]\frac{d}{dt} \left( \frac{\partial L}{\partial \dot{q}_i} \right) - \frac{\partial L}{\partial q_i} = 0[/latex], using generalized coordinates, which simplifies analysis of complex systems with constraints.

The Navier–Stokes equations are a set of non-linear partial differential equations describing the motion of viscous fluid substances. They are a statement of Newton's second law, balancing momentum changes with pressure gradients, viscous forces, and external forces. For an incompressible fluid, the equation is [latex]\rho (\frac{\partial \mathbf{v}}{\partial t} + \mathbf{v} \cdot \nabla \mathbf{v}) = -\nabla p + \mu \nabla^2 \mathbf{v} + \mathbf{f}[/latex].

A fundamental second-order linear parabolic partial differential equation describing heat distribution or other diffusion processes. Its canonical form is [latex]\frac{partial u}{partial t} = \alpha \nabla^2 u[/latex], where [latex]u(\vec{x},t)[/latex] is temperature, [latex]t[/latex] is time, and [latex]\alpha[/latex] is thermal diffusivity. Solutions model how an initial temperature distribution evolves, smoothing out irregularities over time and approaching a steady state.

A fundamental principle stating that the total energy of an isolated system remains constant over time. Energy can neither be created nor destroyed, only transformed from one form to another, such as from potential to kinetic energy. In classical mechanics, for systems with only conservative forces, the total mechanical energy [latex]E = T + V[/latex] is conserved.

Viscoelasticity is the property of materials that exhibit both viscous and elastic characteristics when undergoing deformation. Viscous materials, like honey, resist shear flow and strain linearly with time when a stress is applied. Elastic materials, like a rubber band, strain when stretched and quickly return to their original state once the stress is removed. Viscoelastic materials have elements of both.

The Boltzmann distribution describes the probability that a system in thermal equilibrium at temperature T will be in a specific microstate with energy E. This probability is proportional to the Boltzmann factor, [latex]e^{-E / k_B T}[/latex]. It implies that states with lower energy are exponentially more likely to be occupied than states with higher energy, with temperature modulating this preference.

In continuum mechanics, the principle of mass conservation states that the mass of a closed system must remain constant over time. For a fluid, this is expressed by the continuity equation. In its Eulerian differential form, it is written as [latex]\frac{\partial \rho}{\partial t} + \nabla \cdot (\rho \mathbf{u}) = 0[/latex], where [latex]\rho[/latex] is the density and [latex]\mathbf{u}[/latex] is the velocity field.

These are two ways to describe motion in continuum mechanics:

• the Lagrangian specification follows individual material particles, tracking their properties over time, like watching a specific car in traffic
• the Eulerian specification focuses on fixed points in space, observing the properties (velocity, density) of whatever particles pass through those points, like a traffic camera observing a fixed intersection.

Solid mechanics is a branch of continuum mechanics that studies the behavior of solid materials, especially their motion and deformation under the action of forces, temperature changes, or other external loads. It is fundamental to engineering for the design and analysis of structures. Key areas include elasticity (recoverable deformation), plasticity (permanent deformation), and fracture mechanics (crack initiation and propagation).

The Cauchy stress tensor, denoted [latex]\boldsymbol{\sigma}[/latex], is a second-order tensor that completely defines the state of stress at a point inside a material. It relates the traction vector (force per unit area) [latex]\mathbf{T}[/latex] on any surface passing through that point to the surface's normal vector [latex]\mathbf{n}[/latex] via the linear relationship [latex]\mathbf{T} = \boldsymbol{\sigma} \cdot \mathbf{n}[/latex].

A reformulation of classical mechanics that uses generalized coordinates and their conjugate momenta. It is based on the Hamiltonian function, [latex]H(q, p, t)[/latex], representing the system's total energy. The dynamics are described by Hamilton's equations: [latex]\dot{q}_i = \frac{\partial H}{\partial p_i}[/latex] and [latex]\dot{p}_i = -\frac{\partial H}{\partial q_i}[/latex]. This framework is central to quantum mechanics and statistical mechanics.

For a Newtonian fluid, viscosity is a function of temperature and pressure but not shear rate. In liquids, viscosity decreases significantly as temperature increases because higher thermal energy allows molecules to overcome cohesive intermolecular forces more easily. Conversely, in gases, viscosity increases with temperature as more frequent molecular collisions at higher speeds lead to greater momentum transfer.

De Morgan's laws are a pair of transformation rules in Boolean algebra that are fundamental to digital circuit design. The first law states that the negation of a conjunction is the disjunction of the negations: [latex]\neg(P \land Q) \iff (\neg P) \lor (\neg Q)[/latex]. The second states that the negation of a disjunction is the conjunction of the negations: [latex]\neg(P \lor Q) \iff (\neg P) \land (\neg Q)[/latex].

A fundamental existence and uniqueness theorem for partial differential equations associated with Cauchy initial value problems. It states that if the PDE and the initial conditions are 'analytic' (can be represented by convergent power series), then a unique analytic solution exists in a neighborhood of the initial surface. It provides a local existence guarantee but does not address global behavior or well-posedness.