Complex Variables 2.

6 Some Physical applications of Harmonic

Functions
The intensity of heat conduction within a two-dimensional system is given as a
vector field (vector function) the heat flux density Q(x,y).

No heat can be absorbed or emitted by the insulation . Thus the heat flux density
vector Q will be assumed tangent to any insulated boundary.
For the two-dimensional system : Q( x, y) Qx ( x, y)a x Qy ( x, y)a y
The direction of Q, at a particular point, is the direction in which thermal energy is
being transported most rapidly. In general for a small surface of area S, a flux of heat
f passes through the surface given by:

f Qn S
1

Complex Variables
Under steady-state conditions the net heat flux in any point is zero (no sources or
sinks)

Qx x, y Qy x, y
divQ( x, y ) Q( x, y )

0
x
y

If the temperature distribution in the system is (x,y) and the thermal conductivity is k
the Fourier's Law suggests:
Qx k

x, y
x, y
; Q y k
Q( x, y) k grad x, y k x, y
x
y

Joseph Fourier

Q( x, y) 0

For a homogeneous system:

2 x, y 2 x, y
divQ( x, y ) k div grad x, y k

0
2
2

2 x, y 2 x, y

0
x 2
y 2

Under applied conditions the temperature inside the system is a Harmonic Function
and it can be regarded as the real part of an analytic function within the domain
(system)
(x,y)= (x, y) + i(x, y)
(x, y) stream function .
2

Complex Variables
(x,y) = cont isotherms (equipotentials)

From THEOREM 8:
(x,y) = cont streamlines , those are perpendicular to the isotherms
According to THEOREM 8 the slope of a stream line is given by:
dy y Q y

dx x Qx

THEOREM 9 The heat flux density vector at a given point within a heat conducting
medium is tangent to the streamline passing through that point.
The heat flux density vector, calculated at some point, is perpendicular to the
isotherm passing through that point.

Complex Variables
The complex heat flux density

q ( x, y ) Qx ( x, y ) iQ y ( x, y )

q ( x, y ) k
i

For the complex function (x,y)= +i

dx, y

i
dz
x
x x
y
If we introduce

x y

y
x

CRE

dx, y

i
dz
x
y

we have for the complex heat flux density:

q ( x, y ) k

d
dz
4

Complex Variables
Steady state of a two-dimesional Ideal Fluid incompressible and nonviscous
Fluid velocity V(x,y)

Heat flux density Q(x,y)

We introduce the complex velocity (the complex heat flux density q(z))

v( z ) Vx ( x, y) iVy ( x, y)
There exists a real function of x and y, the velocity potential (x, y),

V ( x, y ) grad x, y x, y

V x, y 0

For an incompressible fluid, the velocity components Vx and Vy satisfy

2 x, y 2 x, y
divV ( x, y ) div grad x, y

0
2
2

2 x, y 2 x, y

0
x 2
y 2

Thus: inside the system (x, y) is a Harmonic Function and it can be regarded as the
real part of an analytic function within the domain (system) the complex velocity
potential:
5

Complex Variables
The fluid velocity vector at every point is tangent
to the streamline passing through that point
The complex velocity and the complex velocity potential:

v( x, y ) Vx ( x, y ) iV y ( x, y )

d
dz

In Electrostatics:

The electric field vector E is defining the force applied to a point charge q0:

F q0E
The electric flux density (displacement) vector D defined by (0 - free space permittivity;
r - dielectric constant)
D E E
0 r

Two-dimensional electrostatics: D is parallel to the xy-plane.

The distribution of charge along sources or sinks of flux is independent of

Complex Variables
A scalar electrostatic potential (x, y)

D( x, y ) grad x, y x, y

D
x
,
y

Gauss's law:

E( x, y ) grad x, y x, y

Ex, y 0

divD

For the absents of charges (charge density = 0) leads to:

2 x, y 2 x, y

0
2
2
x
y

An analytic function within the domain (system) the complex electrostatic potential:

The electric flux density (displacement) vector D is tangent to stream lines.

We can define:

and

d ( z ) Dx x, y iD y x, y

e( z ) E x x, y iE y x, y

d
d ( z )

dz

e( z ) d

dz

Complex Variables

Complex Variables
EXAMPLE
A complex potential is of the form (z) = Az + B, where A and B are
real number. Discuss its associated equipotentials, streamlines, and flux density in
terms of electrostatics, heat conduction, and fluid flow.

Solution: We have:
So:

x, y Ax B

x, y Ay

Az B A Dx iD y
d
z

dz

Az B kA Qx iQ y
q
z

dz

vz d Az B A V iV
x
y

dz

Dx A; D y 0
Qx kA; Q y 0
Vx A;V y 0