A2.18

Nonlinear Waves | Part II, 2002

(i) Find a travelling wave solution of unchanging shape for the modified Burgers equation (with α>0\alpha>0 )

∂u∂t+u2∂u∂x=α∂2u∂x2\frac{\partial u}{\partial t}+u^{2} \frac{\partial u}{\partial x}=\alpha \frac{\partial^{2} u}{\partial x^{2}}

with u=0u=0 far ahead of the wave and u=1u=1 far behind. What is the velocity of the wave? Sketch the shape of the wave.

(ii) Explain why the method of characteristics, when applied to an equation of the type

∂u∂t+c(u)∂u∂x=0\frac{\partial u}{\partial t}+c(u) \frac{\partial u}{\partial x}=0

with initial data u(x,0)=f(x)u(x, 0)=f(x), sometimes gives a multi-valued solution. State the shockfitting algorithm that gives a single-valued solution, and explain how it is justified.

Consider the equation above, with c(u)=u2c(u)=u^{2}. Suppose that

u(x,0)={0x≥01x<0.u(x, 0)=\left\{\begin{array}{ll} 0 & x \geq 0 \\ 1 & x<0 \end{array} .\right.

Sketch the characteristics in the (x,t)(x, t) plane. Show that a shock forms immediately, and calculate the velocity at which it moves.

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