On the Approximate Solution of a Diffusion Problem by Galerkin Methods

Discrete-time Galerkin methods are considered for the approximatesolution of a parabolic initial boundary value problem whicharises, for example, in problems involving the diffusion ofa solute into a solid from a stirred solution of fixed volume.Optimal error estimates in the L² and H¹ norms are derived forthe Crank-Nicolson Galerkin method. For the one space variablecase optimal L estimates are also obtained. Results of numericalexperiments are presented and comparisons with finite differenceapproximations are made.