Lecture Notes on Groundwater Hydrology

Part 2

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Water flow through porous media

It is required to define two compressibility concepts in order to analyze the flow of water through
porous media. One of the concepts is related to the water as it can be compressed under high
pressure, and the other is related to the compressibility of the porous medium itself.

Effective Stress

If a stress is applied to a certain volume of saturated sand, there are three physical changes that will
result in change of the sand volume. These are:

 The compressibility of the water in the pores under pressure. This is controlled by the fluid’s
compressibility, 𝛽.
 The compressibility of individual sand grains. This can actually be ignored as the
compressibility of individual sand grains is very small, and
 The rearrangement of sand grains into a more closely packed configuration. This is very
important and it is controlled by compressibility of the porous medium, 𝛼.

Let’s consider the following saturated condition.

Figure 1. Forces acting in the saturated zone

The total stress, 𝜎𝑇 , acting on the plane of the geologic formationas a result of weight of the aquifer
acting at a certain depth is given as:

𝜎𝑇 = 𝜎𝑒 + 𝑃

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where 𝜎𝑒 is effective stress and P is fluid pressure.

If we write the differential form of the above equation, we will find:

𝑑𝜎𝑇 = 𝑑𝜎𝑒 + 𝑑𝑃

We know that 𝜎𝑇 remains constant in the saturated aquifer and, therefore, 𝑑𝜎𝑇 = 0. This implies
that:

𝑑𝜎𝑒 = −𝑑𝑃 Eq. 1

This equation shows that there is an inverse relationship between effective stress and pressure. If the
fluid pressure increases, the effective stress will decrease and vice versa. For this reason, the total
stress does not change with time.

Figure 2. Relationship between pressure and effective stress

From our previous lectures, we know that the hydraulic head, h, is the sum of elevation head, z, and
piezometric head, 𝜑.

ℎ = 𝑧+𝜑

Taking the differential for of this equation, we will get:

𝑑ℎ = 𝑑𝑧 + 𝑑𝜑

But, 𝑑𝑧 = 0 as it is a constant elevation head. Therefore,

𝑑ℎ = 𝑑𝜑 Eq. 2

We also know that the hydrostatic pressure, p, is given as:

𝑝 = 𝜌𝑔𝜑

Taking the differential form of this equation, we will find:

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𝑑𝑝 = 𝜌𝑔𝑑𝜑 Eq. 3

Substitution of Eq. 2 and Eq. 3 into equation yield:

𝑑𝜎𝑒 = −𝜌𝑔𝑑ℎ

This equation show the inverse relationship between effective stress and pressure.

Equations of groundwater flow

Analytical equations generally depend on two equations. For ground water, analytical equations
depended on the continuity equation and the basic body equation, which is Darcy’s law.

The continuity equation depends on conservation of fluid mass during theflow through the porous
medium.

The partial differential equation of flow will be derived for the following flows using the above
mentioned two equations.

1) Steady state saturated flow

2) Unsteady state saturated flow
3) Unsteady state unsaturated flow

1) Steady State Saturated Flow

Consider a unit volume of a porous medium. In other words, an element is referred as elemental
control volumewhen𝑑𝑥 → 0, 𝑑𝑦 → 0,.and𝑑𝑧 → 0 in a 3-d coordinate system. The rates of fluid mass
inflow into any element control volume must be equal the rate of fluid mass outflow out of any
element control volume for a steady state flow through the porous medium. The 𝜌𝑣 terms
correspond mass rate of flow through a unit cross-sectional area of the elemental control volume.

Figure 3. Elemental control volume for flow through porous media

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 𝜕 𝜕 𝜕
𝜌𝑣𝑥 + 𝜌𝑣𝑦 + 𝜌𝑣𝑧 = 𝜌𝑣𝑥 + (𝜌𝑣𝑥 )𝑑𝑥 + 𝜌𝑣𝑦 + (𝜌𝑣𝑦 )𝑑𝑦 + 𝜌𝑣𝑧 + (𝜌𝑣𝑧 )𝑑𝑧
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑦

After simplification processes, the above equation becomes:

𝜕 𝜕 𝜕
(𝜌𝑣𝑥 ) + (𝜌𝑣𝑦 ) + (𝜌𝑣𝑧 ) =0
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑦

After taking the derivative of the above equation, we will find:

𝜕𝜌 𝜕𝑣𝑥 𝜕𝜌 𝜕𝑣𝑦 𝜕𝜌 𝜕𝑣𝑧

𝑣𝑥 𝜕𝑥 + 𝜌 𝜕𝑥
+ 𝑣𝑦 𝜕𝑦 + 𝜌 𝜕𝑦
+ 𝑣𝑧 𝜕𝑧 + 𝜌 𝜕𝑧
=0

𝜕𝑣𝑖 𝜕𝜌 𝜕𝜌
In practical conditions, 𝜌 𝜕𝑖
terms are much greater than 𝑣𝑖 𝜕𝑖
terms and, therefore, the 𝑣𝑖 𝜕𝑖
terms can be ignored. Therefore,

𝜕𝑣𝑥 𝜕𝑣𝑦 𝜕𝑣𝑧

𝜌 + +𝜌 +𝜌 =0
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧

If we consider the fluid to be incompressible,𝜌(𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧) = 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑡. Thus,

𝜕𝜌 𝜕𝜌 𝜕𝜌
= 0, = 0, =0
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧

Hence, the Continuity equation for incompressible is obtained as

𝜕𝑣𝑥 𝜕𝑣𝑦 𝜕𝑣𝑧

𝜕𝑥
+ 𝜕𝑦
+ 𝜕𝑧
=0

The substitution of Darcy’s law for the velocities,𝑣𝑥 , 𝑣𝑦 , 𝑣𝑧 in x, y and z direction, respectively in the
continuity equation yields the continuity equation for steady state flow through an anisotropic
saturated porous medium as given below

𝜕 𝜕ℎ 𝜕 𝜕ℎ 𝜕 𝜕ℎ
(𝐾𝑥 ) + (𝐾𝑦 ) + (𝐾𝑧 ) =0
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑧

For isotropic medium, 𝐾𝑥 = 𝐾𝑦 = 𝐾𝑧 and if the medium is also homogeneous,

𝐾(𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧) = 𝐶. Therefore, this implies that, for steady state flow through a homogeneous isotropic
medium, the continuity equation can be written as:

𝜕ℎ 2 𝜕ℎ 2 𝜕ℎ 2
𝜕𝑥 2
+ 𝜕𝑦2 + 𝜕𝑧2 = 0

This equation is called Laplace’s equation. It describes the hydraulic head ℎ(𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧) at any point in a
three-dimensional flow field.

2) Unsteady State Saturated Flow

Conservation of mass flow rate for unsteady state flow condition states that the difference in the
rate of mass fluid into elemental control volumeand rate of mass fluid out of elemental control
volume must be equal to change in mass fluid with respect to time. It implies that the continuity
equation for this condition can be written as:

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 𝜕 𝜕 𝜕 𝜕
(𝜌𝑣𝑥 ) + (𝜌𝑣𝑦 ) + (𝜌𝑣𝑧 ) = (𝜌𝑛)
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑡

where 𝑛 is porosity.

After taking derivative of both sides, the above equation can be expanded to have the following
form.

𝜕𝜌 𝜕𝑣𝑥 𝜕𝜌 𝜕𝑣𝑦 𝜕𝜌 𝜕𝑣𝑧 𝜕𝜌 𝜕𝑛

𝑣𝑥 𝜕𝑥 + 𝜌 𝜕𝑥
+ 𝑣𝑦 𝜕𝑦 + 𝜌 𝜕𝑦
+ 𝑣𝑧 𝜕𝑧 + 𝜌 𝜕𝑧
= 𝑛 𝜕𝑡 + 𝜌 𝜕𝑡

The first term on the right-hand side of the continuity equation is mass rate of water produced by an
expansion of the water under a change in specific mass. The second term is mass rate of water
produced by compaction of the porous medium. The first term is controlled by compressibility of
fluid, 𝛽, whereas the second term is controlled by compressibility of fluid, α. It is also well known that
the first term at right the hand side refers to the change in ρ and second term refers to the change in
n. Both terms are strongly related to the change in hydraulic head, h.

The volume flow of water is produced under decline of a unit hydraulic head. The mass flow rate of
𝜕ℎ
water is determined as𝜌 𝑆𝑠 𝜕𝑡 . This means that the mass flow rate is time rate of change of fluid mass
storage, where𝑆𝑠 . Is specific storage and is given as𝑆𝑠 = 𝜌 𝑔 (𝛼 + 𝑛 𝛽).

The continuity equation of unsteady state flow, then, becomes:

𝜕 𝜕 𝜕 𝜕ℎ
(𝜌𝑣𝑥 ) + (𝜌𝑣𝑦 ) + (𝜌𝑣𝑧 ) = 𝜌 𝑆𝑠
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑡

Expansion of this equation yields:

𝜕𝜌 𝜕𝑣𝑥 𝜕𝜌 𝜕𝑣𝑦 𝜕𝜌 𝜕𝑣𝑧 𝜕ℎ

𝑣𝑥 𝜕𝑥 + 𝜌 𝜕𝑥
+ 𝑣𝑦 𝜕𝑦 + 𝜌 𝜕𝑦
+ 𝑣𝑧 𝜕𝑧 + 𝜌 𝜕𝑧
= 𝜌 𝑆𝑠 𝜕𝑡

𝜕𝜌 𝜕𝜌 𝜕𝜌
Ignoring 𝑣𝑥 𝜕𝑥 , 𝑣𝑦 𝜕𝑦 and 𝑣𝑧 𝜕𝑧 as they are very small in real conditions and considering the fluid to be
compressible, i.e., 𝜌(𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧, 𝑡) = 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑡, the equation will have the following form.

𝜕𝑣𝑥 𝜕𝑣𝑦 𝜕𝑣𝑧 𝜕ℎ

𝜌 𝜕𝑥
+𝜌 𝜕𝑦
+𝜌 𝜕𝑧
= 𝜌 𝑆𝑠 𝜕𝑡

We can eliminate ρ from both sides by considering the fluid to be incompressible, and the equation
will be simplified to:

𝜕𝑣𝑥 𝜕𝑣𝑦 𝜕𝑣𝑧 𝜕ℎ

+ + = 𝑆𝑠
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑧 𝜕𝑡

The substitution of Darcy’s equations of velocities for 𝑣𝑥 , 𝑣𝑦 , 𝑣𝑧 in x, y and z direction, respectively in

the above equation, we will get:

𝜕 𝜕ℎ 𝜕 𝜕ℎ 𝜕 𝜕ℎ 𝜕ℎ
𝜕𝑥
(𝐾𝑥 𝜕𝑥 ) + 𝜕𝑦 (𝐾𝑦 𝜕𝑦) + 𝜕𝑧 (𝐾𝑧 𝜕𝑧 ) = 𝑆𝑠 𝜕𝑡

This equation is valid for unsteady state flow through an anisotropic saturated porous medium.

If we assume theporous medium to be isotropic and homogeneous, where𝐾𝑥 = 𝐾𝑦 = 𝐾𝑧 ,

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(𝐾(𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧) = 𝐶), the above equation will have the following form.

𝜕2 ℎ 𝜕2 ℎ 𝜕2 ℎ 𝑆𝑠 𝜕ℎ
𝜕𝑥 2
+ 𝜕𝑦2 + 𝜕𝑧2 = 𝐾 𝜕𝑡
or

𝜕 2 ℎ 𝜕 2 ℎ 𝜕 2 ℎ 𝜌 𝑔 (𝛼 + 𝑛 𝛽) 𝜕ℎ
+ + =
𝜕𝑥 2 𝜕𝑦 2 𝜕𝑧 2 𝐾 𝜕𝑡
𝑆𝑠
𝐾
is diffusive coefficient and this equation is termed as Diffusion Equation. The hydraulic head, h(x, y,
z, t) is defines at any point and time in a flow field.
𝑚
The above equation can be written in another form. If we multiply it by 𝑚, where m is the thickness
of the aquifer as defined in our previous lectures, we will have:

𝜕 2 ℎ 𝜕 2 ℎ 𝜕 2 ℎ 𝑆𝑠 𝜕ℎ 𝑚
+ + =
𝜕𝑥 2 𝜕𝑦 2 𝜕𝑧 2 𝐾 𝜕𝑡 𝑚

We knowthat𝑆𝑠 . 𝑚 = 𝑆, where S is Storage coefficient and 𝐾. 𝑚 = 𝑇, where T is transmissivity

coefficient. Therefore, the equation can be written as:

𝜕 2 ℎ 𝜕 2 ℎ 𝜕 2 ℎ 𝑆 𝜕ℎ
+ + =
𝜕𝑥 2 𝜕𝑦 2 𝜕𝑧 2 𝑇 𝜕𝑡

This is the unsteady state continuity equation for isotropic medium.

The previously derived continuity equations are based on axial coordinate systems, i.e., we
considered flow to occur in directions perpendicular to the x, y and z axes. These results in the
presence of discontinuity at the corners of the control volume considered. In reality, however,
flow occurs radially. This means that flow occurs towards the well in every direction
perpendicular to the surface of the well at every point.
In practice, cylindrical wells are preferred than other regular shapes because:

They are more stable than the other shapes because of distribution of pressure on the
wall surfaces and
 Circular shapes are very simple in terms of calculating volume of area as the only
parameter required is radius.
If we consider the distribution of heat in every direction from a certain source point, the heat
expands up to a certain radial distance, r, in all directions from the center of heat source.
Groundwater flow towards a cylindrical well occurs in the same manner and we need to write
the previously developed equations in terms of radial dimensions.

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 Figure 1. Radial Coordinate system.
From the figure, we can identify that:
𝑥 = 𝑟𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃 and 𝑦 = 𝑟𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 and
𝑥2 + 𝑦2 = 𝑟2
We have to use Chain Rule in order to convert the previous Laplace equations given in terms
of x, y and z in to equations written in terms of r and 𝜃.
𝜕2 𝜕2
The Chain Rule states that, in order to write 𝜕𝑥 2 + 𝜕𝑦 2 in terms of r and 𝜃,

𝜕 𝜕 𝜕𝑥 𝜕 𝜕𝑦
= . + .
𝜕𝑟 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑟 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑟
If we take the first derivatives of 𝑥 = 𝑟𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃 and 𝑦 = 𝑟𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 with respect to r, we will get:
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑦
= 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃and𝑑𝑟 = 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃
𝑑𝑟

The derivatives of = 𝑟𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃 and 𝑦 = 𝑟𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 with respect to 𝜃 are:

𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑦
= −𝑟𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃and𝑑𝜃 = 𝑟𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃
𝑑𝜃

𝜕
Our objective is to find 𝜕𝑟 in terms of x and y. For this reason, we have to substitute the above
given derivatives for x and y with respect to r in the equation given in the Chain Rule.
Accordingly, this results in:
𝜕 𝜕 𝜕
= . 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃 + . 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃
𝜕𝑟 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦
This is the first derivative and we need to find the second derivative of the above equation.
Therefore,
𝜕2 𝜕 𝜕
𝜕𝑟 2
= 𝜕𝑟 (𝜕𝑟)

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 𝜕2 𝜕 𝜕 𝜕
2
= ( . 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃 + . 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃)
𝜕𝑟 𝜕𝑟 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦
𝜕2 𝜕 𝜕 𝜕 𝜕
2
= ( . 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃. + . 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃. )
𝜕𝑟 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑟 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑟
𝜕2 𝜕 𝜕 𝜕𝑥 𝜕 𝜕𝑦 𝜕 𝜕 𝜕𝑥 𝜕 𝜕𝑦
= 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃 ( . + . ) + 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 ( . + . )
𝜕𝑟 2 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑟 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑟 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑟 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑟
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦
We know that 𝜕𝑟 = 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃 and 𝜕𝑟 = 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 and, therefore,

𝜕2 𝜕 𝜕 𝜕 𝜕 𝜕 𝜕
2
= 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃 (𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃 + 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 ) + 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 (𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃 + 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 )
𝜕𝑟 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦
𝜕2 𝜕 𝜕 𝜕 𝜕
2
= (𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃 + 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 ) (𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃 + 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 )
𝜕𝑟 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦
Therefore,
𝜕2 𝜕2 𝜕 𝜕 𝜕2
= (𝑐𝑜𝑠 2 𝜃 𝜕𝑥 2 + 2𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃. 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃. 𝜕𝑥 . 𝜕𝑦 + 𝑠𝑖𝑛2 𝜃 𝜕𝑦 2 ) (Eq. 1)
𝜕𝑟 2

We need to write the equation in terms of 𝜃, too.

The Chain Rule in terms of 𝜃 is written as follows.
𝜕 𝜕 𝜕𝑥 𝜕 𝜕𝑦
= . + .
𝜕𝜃 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝜃 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝜃
𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦
We know that 𝜕𝜃 = −𝑟𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 and = 𝑟𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃, and , therefore,
𝜕𝜃

𝜕 𝜕 𝜕
= −𝑟𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃. + 𝑟𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃.
𝜕𝜃 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦
This is the first derivative and we need to find the second derivative. Therefore,
𝜕2 𝜕 𝜕
2
= ( )
𝜕𝜃 𝜕𝜃 𝜕𝜃
𝜕2 𝜕 𝜕 𝜕
= (−𝑟𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃. + 𝑟𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃. )
𝜕𝜃 2 𝜕𝜃 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦
𝜕2 𝜕 𝜕 𝜕 𝜕
= (−𝑟𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃. ) + (𝑟𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃. )
𝜕𝜃 2 𝜕𝜃 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝜃 𝜕𝑦
𝜕2 𝜕 𝜕 𝜕 𝜕 𝜕 𝜕
2
= (−𝑟𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃. − 𝑟𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃. . ) − (𝑟𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃. − 𝑟𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃. )
𝜕𝜃 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝜃 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝜃

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 𝜕2 𝜕 𝜕 𝜕 𝜕 𝜕 𝜕
2
= −𝑟𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃. − 𝑟𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃. . − 𝑟𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃. + 𝑟𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃.
𝜕𝜃 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝜃 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝜃

𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦
We remember that 𝜕𝜃 = −𝑟𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃and𝜕𝜃 = 𝑟𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃, and

𝜕 𝜕 𝜕
= (−𝑟𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃. + 𝑟𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃. )
𝜕𝜃 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦
Therefore,
𝜕2 𝜕 𝜕 𝜕 𝜕 𝜕
2
= −𝑟𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃. − 𝑟𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃. . (−𝑟𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃. + 𝑟𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃. ) − 𝑟𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃.
𝜕𝜃 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑦
𝜕 𝜕 𝜕
+ 𝑟𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃. (−𝑟𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃. + 𝑟𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃. )
𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦
𝜕2 𝜕 𝜕 2 2
𝜕2 2
𝜕2 2
𝜕2
= −𝑟𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃. − 𝑟𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃. + 𝑟 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝜃. 2 − 𝑟 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃. − 𝑟 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃.
𝜕𝜃 2 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑥𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑥𝜕𝑦
2
𝜕
+ 𝑟 2 𝑐𝑜𝑠 2 𝜃. 2
𝜕𝑦
𝜕2 𝜕 𝜕 2 2
𝜕2 2
𝜕2 2
𝜕2
= −𝑟 (𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃. + 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃. ) + 𝑟 (𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝜃. + 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝜃. ) − 2𝑟 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃.
𝜕𝜃 2 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑥 2 𝜕𝑦 2 𝜕𝑥𝜕𝑦

𝜕 𝜕 𝜕
We know that 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃. 𝜕𝑥 + 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃. 𝜕𝑦 = 𝜕𝑟.

Therefore,
𝜕2 𝜕 𝜕2 𝜕2 𝜕2
= −𝑟. 𝜕𝑟 + 𝑟 2 (𝑠𝑖𝑛2 𝜃. 𝜕𝑥 2 + 𝑐𝑜𝑠 2 𝜃. 𝜕𝑦 2 ) − 2𝑟 2 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃. 𝜕𝑥𝜕𝑦 Eq. 2
𝜕𝜃2

If we divide both sides of Eq. (2) by 𝑟 2 , we will find:

1 𝜕2 1 𝜕 2
𝜕2 2
𝜕2 𝜕2
= − . + 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝜃. + 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝜃. − 2𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃.
𝑟 2 𝜕𝜃 2 𝑟 𝜕𝑟 𝜕𝑥 2 𝜕𝑦 2 𝜕𝑥𝜕𝑦

𝜕2 1 𝜕2 2
𝜕2 𝜕2 2
𝜕2 1 𝜕 2
𝜕2
+ = 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝜃. + 2𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃. + 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝜃. − . + 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝜃.
𝜕𝑟 2 𝑟 2 𝜕𝜃 2 𝜕𝑥 2 𝜕𝑥𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑦 2 𝑟 𝜕𝑟 𝜕𝑥 2
𝜕2 𝜕2 𝜕
+ 𝑐𝑜𝑠 2 𝜃. 2 − 2𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃. −𝑟
𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑥𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑟
After simplification,

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 𝜕2 1 𝜕2 2 2
𝜕2 2 2
𝜕2 𝜕
2
+ 2 2
= (𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝜃 + 𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝜃). 2
+ (𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝜃 + 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝜃). 2
−𝑟
𝜕𝑟 𝑟 𝜕𝜃 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑟
We know that (𝑐𝑜𝑠 2 𝜃 + 𝑠𝑖𝑛2 𝜃) = 1. Therefore,
𝜕2 1 𝜕2 𝜕2 𝜕2 𝜕
2
+ 2 2
= 2
+ 2
−𝑟
𝜕𝑟 𝑟 𝜕𝜃 𝜕𝑥 𝜕𝑦 𝜕𝑟
Therefore,
𝜕2 𝜕2 𝜕2 1 𝜕 1 𝜕2
+ = − +
𝜕𝑥 2 𝜕𝑦 2 𝜕𝑟 2 𝑟 𝜕𝑟 𝑟 2 𝜕𝜃 2

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