Derive the ray-tracing equations governing the evolution of a wave packet ϕ(x,t)= A(x,t)exp{iψ(x,t)} in a slowly varying medium, stating the conditions under which the equations are valid.
Consider now a stationary obstacle in a steadily moving homogeneous two-dimensional medium which has the dispersion relation
ω(k1,k2)=α(k12+k22)1/4−Vk1
where (V,0) is the velocity of the medium. The obstacle generates a steady wave system. Writing (k1,k2)=κ(cosϕ,sinϕ), show that the wave satisfies
κ=V2cos2ϕα2
Show that the group velocity of these waves can be expressed as
cg=V(21cos2ϕ−1,21cosϕsinϕ).
Deduce that the waves occupy a wedge of semi-angle sin−131 about the negative x1-axis.