Introduction to

Heat Equation and

Finite Difference
Method
Explore the fundamental principles of the heat equation, a
crucial model in thermodynamics, and dive into the power of the
finite difference method, a numerical approach for solving partial
differential equations.
by Besan Shkirat
Discretization of the 2D Heat
Equation
To numerically solve the 2D heat equation using the finite difference method, we first
discretize the spatial domain into a grid of nodes. This allows us to approximate the
continuous derivatives with finite differences, transforming the partial differential equation
into a system of algebraic equations that can be solved computationally.

Divide the 2D spatial domain into a rectangular grid with uniform spacing in x and y directions.
2. Approximate the partial derivatives using central difference schemes for improved accuracy.
3. Apply the discretization to the 2D heat equation to obtain a set of discrete equations at each grid point.
4. Organize the discrete equations into a matrix form, ready for numerical solution.
Explicit Finite Difference Scheme
The explicit finite difference scheme is a straightforward approach to solving the 2D heat
equation numerically. This method calculates the temperature at each grid point using only
the known values from the previous time step, making it computationally efficient and easy
to implement.
By discretizing the heat equation in both space and time, we can express the temperature
at the next time step as a simple weighted average of the surrounding grid points from the
current time step. This explicit formulation allows us to directly compute the new
temperature values without the need for matrix inversion or iterative solvers.
Implicit Finite Difference Scheme
While the explicit finite difference scheme is straightforward, it comes with a stability
constraint that limits the time step size. To overcome this limitation, the implicit finite
difference scheme offers an alternative approach. Instead of relying solely on the previous
time step, the implicit method incorporates information from the current time step, leading
to a more stable and unconditionally stable numerical solution.
The implicit scheme involves solving a system of linear equations at each time step, which
can be efficiently handled using matrix inversion or iterative solvers. This approach offers
greater stability and allows for larger time steps, at the cost of increased computational
complexity compared to the explicit scheme.
Boundary Conditions and Initial
Conditions
Defining the appropriate boundary conditions and initial conditions is crucial for accurately
modeling the 2D heat transfer process using the finite difference method. These conditions
ensure the numerical solution aligns with the physical problem being studied.

1 • Specify the temperature values at the boundaries of the 2D domain, such as

constant, time-varying, or insulated conditions.
• Establish the initial temperature distribution throughout the domain at the
starting time point, which serves as the basis for the iterative time-stepping
• solution.
Apply the boundary and initial conditions to the discretized heat equation,
ensuring a well-posed system of equations for numerical computation.
• Carefully consider the physical significance of the boundary and initial
conditions to ensure the numerical model accurately represents the real-world
heat transfer scenario.
Stability and Convergence
Analysis
Analyzing the stability and convergence of the finite difference schemes
is crucial for ensuring the numerical solution accurately represents the
true behavior of the 2D heat equation. Stability determines whether the
solution remains bounded, while convergence ensures the numerical
solution approaches the exact solution as the grid spacing and time step
are refined.
For the explicit scheme, we must satisfy the Courant-Friedrichs-Lewy
(CFL) condition, which limits the time step size based on the spatial
discretization. Violating this condition can lead to an unstable, diverging
solution. In contrast, the implicit scheme is unconditionally stable,
allowing for larger time steps without stability concerns.
Convergence analysis involves deriving error estimates that quantify the
difference between the numerical solution and the true solution. By
applying Taylor series expansions and mathematical proofs, we can
demonstrate that both the explicit and implicit schemes converge to the
exact solution as the grid spacing and time step approach zero, with the
implicit scheme exhibiting higher-order convergence.
Implementation in Python
Bring the 2D heat equation simulation to life through a robust
Python implementation. Leverage powerful numerical libraries
like NumPy and SciPy to efficiently discretize the equations,
compute the temperature updates, and visualize the results.
Numerical Examples and
Visualization

Visualizing 3D Representation of Animated

Temperature Temperature Visualization of
Distributions Transient Behavior
Explore the heat equation Capture the transient
Leverage powerful data solution in three behavior of the 2D heat
visualization techniques to dimensions, using a equation by generating an
create intuitive and surface plot to depict the animated sequence of the
informative heat maps that temperature values as a temperature distribution,
reveal the temperature continuous function of the showcasing the gradual
patterns across the 2D spatial coordinates, changes over time and the
domain over time, enabling providing a more propagation of heat
deeper insights into the comprehensive throughout the domain.
heat transfer dynamics. understanding of the heat
Comparison of Explicit and Implicit
Schemes
Computationa Stability Convergence Memory
l Efficiency Constraints Rates Requirements

The explicit The explicit While both The implicit

scheme is scheme is subject schemes scheme requires
computationally to the Courant- converge to the the storage and
more efficient, as Friedrichs-Lewy exact solution as manipulation of a
it only requires a (CFL) stability the grid spacing matrix, leading to
simple weighted condition, which and time step higher memory
average to limits the time approach zero, requirements
update the step size based the implicit compared to the
temperature at on the spatial scheme exhibits explicit scheme,
each grid point. discretization. higher-order which only needs
In contrast, the The implicit convergence, to store the
implicit scheme scheme, providing more temperature
involves solving a however, is accurate results values at each
system of linear unconditionally for the same grid point.
equations, which stable, allowing computational
is more for larger time cost.
Conclusion and Future Directions

1 Key Takeaways 2 Practical 3 Future Research

Applications Directions
The numerical
simulation of the 2D This work can be Extending the
heat equation using applied to diverse simulation to 3D
the finite difference fields, such as domains,
method has provided thermal engineering, incorporating more
valuable insights into materials science, complex boundary
the dynamics of heat and energy systems, conditions, and
transfer processes. to accurately model exploring alternative
Both the explicit and and optimize heat numerical schemes
implicit schemes transfer phenomena. could lead to further
have been explored advancements in the
in detail. field of computational
heat transfer.