Weakly Nonlinear High Frequency Waves.
Abstract
In this paper we derive a method for finding small amplitude high frequency solutions to hyperbolic systems of quasilinear partial differential equations. Our solution is the sum of two parts: (i) a superposition of small amplitude high frequency waves; (ii) a slowly varying 'mean solution'. Each high frequency wave displays nonlinear distortion of the wave profile and shocks may form. Shock conditions are derived for conservative systems. Different high frequency waves do not interact provided the frequencies and wave numbers of two waves are not linearly related to those of a third. The mean solution is found by solving a linear partial differential equation. This method generalizes Whitham's nonlinearization technique 9 for single waves, to problems where many waves are present. We obtain these results by generalizing a scheme first proposed by Choquet-Bruhat 1 which employs the method of multiple scales. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 01, 1982
- Accession Number
- ADA116246
Entities
People
- John Hunter
Organizations
- University of Wisconsin–Madison