Weak derivatives and Sobolev spaces

Build the function-space language of PDEs through weak differentiability, traces, embeddings, and compactness.

10 published lessons1 module227 min of guided study
  1. 01
    Weak derivatives and Sobolev spacesadvanced · 10 lessons

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Weak derivatives and Sobolev spaces

Build the function-space language of PDEs through weak differentiability, traces, embeddings, and compactness.

  1. 01

    Weak derivatives and distributional identities

    Recover differentiation from integration against test functions and distinguish corners from genuine jumps.

    21 min
  2. 02

    Sobolev norms and completeness

    Measure functions and weak derivatives together, and prove that limits preserve the derivative identities.

    21 min
  3. 03

    Mollification and density

    Approximate weakly differentiable functions by smooth ones without confusing interior smoothing with boundary conditions.

    22 min
  4. 04

    Extension operators and domain geometry

    Move Sobolev functions to the whole space while preserving norm control, and see why zero extension needs boundary compatibility.

    22 min
  5. 05

    Trace theorems and boundary data

    Give boundary values to Sobolev equivalence classes and impose Dirichlet data through a bounded trace map.

    23 min
  6. 06

    Poincaré and Friedrichs inequalities

    Remove the constant kernel of differentiation and identify the geometric and boundary assumptions behind energy control.

    22 min
  7. 07

    Sobolev embedding and critical exponents

    Derive the Sobolev conjugate by scaling and distinguish subcritical, critical, and supercritical regularity claims.

    24 min
  8. 08

    Morrey inequality and Hölder regularity

    Turn sufficiently integrable gradients into quantitative continuity and distinguish a Sobolev class from its continuous representative.

    23 min
  9. 09

    Rellich–Kondrachov compactness

    Obtain strong subsequences from bounded Sobolev families and diagnose loss of compactness through concentration and translation.

    24 min
  10. 10

    Fractional Sobolev spaces and interpolation

    Measure nonlocal differences at intermediate smoothness and connect the Gagliardo seminorm with Fourier and interpolation viewpoints.

    25 min
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