Temporal evolution of a circular membrane subject to various boundary conditions

Abstract

In this paper we illustrate a standard problem of mathematical physics, by exploring the potential of using a computer algebra system in a classroom experiment. Although many textbooks describe the problem and solve its particular examples to variable extent, to the student is always left the task of imagining, after a few tedious calculations, the temporal evolution of the system. The aim of this paper is, using algebraic computation, to give a complete route to the problem of an asymmetrically perturbed circular membrane in viscous media with the usual boundary conditions, including the computer animation of the results. Show more