B4.27

Waves in Fluid and Solid Media | Part II, 2002

Write down the equation governing linearized displacements u(x,t)\mathbf{u}(\mathbf{x}, t) in a uniform elastic medium of density ρ\rho and Lamé constants λ\lambda and μ\mu. Derive solutions for monochromatic plane PP and SS waves, and find the corresponding wave speeds cPc_{P} and cSc_{S}.

Such an elastic solid occupies the half-space z>0z>0, and the boundary z=0z=0 is clamped rigidly so that u(x,y,0,t)=0\mathbf{u}(x, y, 0, t)=\mathbf{0}. A plane SVS V-wave with frequency ω\omega and wavenumber (k,0,m)(k, 0,-m) is incident on the boundary. At some angles of incidence, there results both a reflected SVS V-wave with frequency ω\omega^{\prime} and wavenumber (k,0,m)\left(k^{\prime}, 0, m^{\prime}\right) and a reflected PP-wave with frequency ω\omega^{\prime \prime} and wavenumber (k,0,m)\left(k^{\prime \prime}, 0, m^{\prime \prime}\right). Relate the frequencies and wavenumbers of the reflected waves to those of the incident wave. At what angles of incidence will there be a reflected PP-wave?

Find the amplitudes of the reflected waves as multiples of the amplitude of the incident wave. Confirm that these amplitudes give the sum of the time-averaged vertical fluxes of energy of the reflected waves equal to the time-averaged vertical flux of energy of the incident wave.

[Results concerning the energy flux, energy density and kinetic energy density in a plane elastic wave may be quoted without proof.]

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