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 )

ut+u2ux=α2ux2\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

ut+c(u)ux=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)={0x01x<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.