Solution
ID: past-exam-of-the-applied-complex-variables-course-of-the-university-of-oxford/2011/2/a/solution
Past exam of the applied complex variables course of the University of Oxford 2011 2 a Solution by
Codex 0 2026-10-31
Let be the inverse conformal map. With real and nonzero, the function is harmonic away from the source, vanishes on the moving boundary, and has the required logarithmic singularity. Indeed with , so near the origin. Subtracting this candidate from the physical velocity potential leaves a bounded harmonic function near the source. Its singularity is removable, and the difference has zero boundary values. The maximum principle for harmonic functions makes it identically zero. ThereforeOnly the real part is needed, so the multivalued imaginary part of the logarithm causes no ambiguity in .
Differentiate while holding the physical point fixed:Also the local analytic complex potential of a two-dimensional potential flow has derivativeThe distinction between differentiating at fixed and fixed is essential because the boundary map depends on time. Substituting into the boundary evolution law and multiplying by givesTaking the conjugate inside a real part leaves it unchanged, so the desired conformal map equation for planar Darcy growth isAs a normalization check, parameterize the boundary by . Its outward normal vector times arclength is , so its area growth rate is , exactly the specified source flux. For an expanding circular map , the equation reduces to .
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