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StreamPlot[{x[0], x'[0]} /. 
  NDSolve[{x''[t] ==  1, x'[0] == v0, x[0] == x0}, {x, x'}, {t, 0, 1}],
 {x0, -2, 2}, {v0, -2, 2}]

The above code gives me the errors

NDSolve::ndinnt: Initial condition x0 is not a number or a rectangular array of numbers. >>

ReplaceAll::reps: {NDSolve[{(x^[Prime][Prime])[t]==1,(x^[Prime])[0]==v0,x[0]==x0},{x,x^[Prime]},{t,0,1}]} is neither a list of replacement rules nor a valid dispatch table, and so cannot be used for replacing. >>

NDSolve::ndinnt: Initial condition x0 is not a number or a rectangular array of numbers. >>

ReplaceAll::reps: {NDSolve[{(x^[Prime][Prime])[t]==1,(x^[Prime])[0]==v0,x[0]==x0},{x,x^[Prime]},{t,0,1}]} is neither a list of replacement rules nor a valid dispatch table, and so cannot be used for replacing. >>

While the code still produces the plot that I want, is it possible to get rid of the error messages?

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3 Answers 3

Reset to default
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Same idea a belisarius but moving the entire first argument into a separate function, while also localizing x:

fn[x0_?NumericQ, v0_?NumericQ] :=
 Module[{x},
  {x[0], x'[0]} /. NDSolve[{x''[t] == 1, x'[0] == v0, x[0] == x0}, {x, x'}, {t, 0, 1}]
 ]

StreamPlot[fn[x0, v0], {x0, -2, 2}, {v0, -2, 2}]

No errors.

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f[v0_?NumericQ, x0_?NumericQ] := 
                 NDSolve[{x''[t] == 1, x'[0] == v0, x[0] == x0}, {x, x'}, {t, 0, 1}]
StreamPlot[{x[0], x'[0]} /. f[v0, x0], {x0, -2, 2}, {v0, -2, 2}]

Mathematica graphics

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  • $\begingroup$ Got rid of the NDSolve errors but still gives me ReplaceAll::reps: {f[v0,x0]} is neither a list of replacement rules nor a valid dispatch table, and so cannot be used for replacing. >> ReplaceAll::reps: {f[v0,x0]} is neither a list of replacement rules nor a valid dispatch table, and so cannot be used for replacing. >> $\endgroup$
    – weeb
    Sep 21, 2013 at 23:26
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I think you use StreamPlot incorrectly. Let you have a differential equation

x''[t] == f[x[t],x'[t]]

In your particular case

f[x_,v_] := 1;

StreamPlot plots streams based on the vector field. In our case

StreamPlot[{dx,dv},{x,-2,2},{-2,2}]

Here dx and dv is the time derivatives of x and v respectively. By definition dx=v and dv=f[x,v]. Therefore, the command must be

StreamPlot[{v, f[x,v]}, {x, -2, 2}, {v, -2, 2}]

enter image description here

Another example: phase diagram of a pendulum

f[x_, v_] := -Sin[x];
StreamPlot[{v, f[x, v]}, {x, -5, 5}, {v, -3, 3}]

enter image description here

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  • $\begingroup$ The point is I want to StreamPlot an arbitrary differential equation and not get the error messages above. $\endgroup$
    – weeb
    Sep 21, 2013 at 23:30
  • $\begingroup$ @Felix If you have differential equation like x''[t]=f[x,x'] then you can use StreamPlot[{v,f[x,v]},...]. The first argument of StreamPlot is the vector field, not coordinates. $\endgroup$
    – ybeltukov
    Sep 21, 2013 at 23:33
  • $\begingroup$ Regardless of how StreamPlot is normally used, I want to have it plot {x[t], x'[t]}, where x and x' are the solutions to some differential equation. $\endgroup$
    – weeb
    Sep 21, 2013 at 23:38
  • $\begingroup$ @Felix I see your problem. I update my answer. I hope now it is more helpful. $\endgroup$
    – ybeltukov
    Sep 21, 2013 at 23:50

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