We consider a fully practical finite element approximation of the Cahn-Hill
iard equation with degenerate mobility
where b(.) greater than or equal to 0 is a diffusional mobility and Psi(.)
is a homogeneous free energy. In addition to showing well posedness and sta
bility bounds for our approximation, we prove convergence in one space dime
nsion. Furthermore, an iterative scheme for solving the resulting nonlinear
discrete system is analyzed. We also discuss how our approximation has to
be modified in order to be applicable to a logarithmic homogeneous free ene
rgy. Finally, some numerical experiments are presented.