Complex Variable

Harmonic Function

Theory

Harmonic Function:
Any Function of x, y which has a continuous
partial derivatives of the first and second order
and satisfies Laplaces equation
2 =

2 2
+
=0
x2 y2

is called a Harmonic

Function.

Note: I)

2 2
= 2 + 2 =0
x y
2

is called as Laplaces

Equation in Cartesian form

II)

2 u 1 u 1 2 u
+
+
r 2 r r r 2 2

= 0 is called as

Laplaces Equation in Polar Form

Theorem: The real and imaginary parts u, v of an

analytic function f (z) = u + iv are Harmonic
Function.
Proof:
Since, f (z) is an analytic function in
some region of z plane,
1

Complex Variable

Harmonic Function

Theory

u, v satisfy C R equations.

u x =v y

&

u y =v x

(i)

Differentiating the first w.r.t x, and

second w.r.t y, we get

Assuming

2 u
2 v
=
x2 x y

2 u 2 v
=
y2 x y

and

2 v
2 v
=
x y x y

and adding the

above results, we get

2 u 2 u
+
x2 y2

=0

Similarly differentiating the equations in (i)

w.r.t y, and w.r.t x, respectively, we can show that

2 v 2 v
+ 2
2
x y

Hence, the result.

=0