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Let $\Omega\subset\mathbb{R}^n$ be an open set. Let $H^{m,p}(\Omega)$ denote the Sobolev-space of at most $m$ times weakly differentiable functions whose weak derivatives are all $L^p$. Further let $C^{\infty}(\Omega)$ and $C_0^{\infty}(\Omega)$ denote respectively the smooth functions on $\Omega$ in the former case, and those who have compact support in the latter case.

There is a theorem that states that $C^{\infty}(\Omega)\cap H^{m,p}(\Omega)$ is dense in $H^{m,p}(\Omega)$. I'm wondering now if $C_0^{\infty}(\Omega)\cap H^{m,p}(\Omega)$ is dense in $H^{m,p}(\Omega)$.

Is this true or false? Could you please give me hints how to proove it or a link to literature on this?

Thank you in advance.

2 Answers 2

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In general, it is not. For $\Omega = (0,1)$, how can you approximate the constant function $u=1$ by elements with compact support?

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    If a sequence converges in $H^1(a,b)$ then it converges uniformly in $(a,b)$. – 2012-09-24
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It can't happen in any bounded open set $\Omega$ as the constant function equal to $1$ is in $H^{m,p}(\Omega)\cap C^{\infty}(\Omega)$ for $m,p$, but cannot be approach by a sequence of functions $\{\phi_n\}$ of $C_0^{\infty}(\Omega)$ for the norm $W^{m,p},m\geq 1$. Otherwise, we would have $\nabla\phi_n\to 0$ in $L^p$ so by Poincaré's inequality $\phi_n\to 0$ in $L^p$, a contradiction.