Past exam of the mathematics course of the year 2 of the natural sciences course of the University of Cambridge / 2006 / Paper 1 / 2

Separation of variables in the wave equation with fixed endpoints selects $H_n(x)=\sin (n\pi x/L)$ and angular frequencies ${\omega }_n=cn\pi /L$, $n\ge 1$. The time factors may be chosen as $F_n(t)=\cos {\omega }_{n}t$, $G_n(t)=\sin {\omega }_{n}t$. By Fourier sine series orthogonality, the initial data giveHence $u={\sum }_{n\ge 1}[a_n\cos {\omega }_{n}t+b_n\sin {\omega }_{n}t]\sin (n\pi x/L)$. The factor $1/{\omega }_n$ in $b_n$ is required because differentiating the time sine supplies ${\omega }_n$.

The given displacement is a symmetric triangular tent: it is zero at both endpoints and has height $k$ at $L/2$. Integrating each linear half gives $a_n=8k\sin (n\pi /2)/(n^2{\pi }^2)$. Release from rest gives $b_n=0$, so the midpoint-plucked fixed-end string isOnly odd modes occur, by symmetry about the midpoint. The initial slope corner makes this a finite-energy weak solution; it is a classical solution away from the propagating corner lines.