Derive Riemann's equations for finite amplitude, one-dimensional sound waves in a perfect gas with ratio of specific heats γ.
At time t=0 the gas is at rest and has uniform density ρ0, pressure p0 and sound speed c0. A piston initially at x=0 starts moving backwards at time t=0 with displacement x=−asinωt, where a and ω are positive constants. Explain briefly how to find the resulting disturbance using a graphical construction in the xt-plane, and show that prior to any shock forming c=c0+21(γ−1)u.
For small amplitude a, show that the excess pressure Δp=p−p0 and the excess sound speed Δc=c−c0 are related by
p0Δp=γ−12γc0Δc+(γ−1)2γ(γ+1)(c0Δc)2+O((c0Δc)3)
Deduce that the time-averaged pressure on the face of the piston exceeds p0 by
81ρ0a2ω2(γ+1)+O(a3)