Past exam of the year 2 of the earth sciences (geology) course of the University of Oxford / 2022 / Paper 1 / 10 / b / iv / Solution

For an integrable initial profile $f(y)$, use its Fourier transform with the conventionThe transformed diffusion equation is ${\partial }_t\hat{T}=-\kappa k^2\hat{T}$, soEquivalently the heat-kernel convolution isThis also accommodates bounded piecewise-continuous initial profiles; it recovers $f$ at continuity points as $t\downarrow 0$. For periodic initial data use a Fourier series and multiply each mode by $e^{-\kappa k_r^{2}t}$; the constant mean mode remains unchanged. “Any function” needs the usual existence/integrability or growth conditions: an arbitrarily fast-growing initial function need not give a finite heat-kernel integral.