(i) Let u(x,t) satisfy the Burgers equation
∂t∂u+u∂x∂u=ν∂x2∂2u
where ν is a positive constant. Consider solutions of the form u=u(X), where X=x−Ut and U is a constant, such that
u→u2,∂X∂u→0 as X→−∞;u→u1,∂X∂u→0 as X→∞
with u2>u1.
Show that U satisfies the so-called shock condition
U=21(u2+u1)
By using the factorisation
21u2−Uu+A=21(u−u1)(u−u2)
where A is the constant of integration, express u in terms of X,u1,u2 and ν.
(ii) According to shallow-water theory, river waves are characterised by the PDEs
∂t∂v+v∂x∂v+gcosα∂x∂h=gsinα−Cfhv2∂t∂h+v∂x∂h+h∂x∂v=0
where h(x,t) denotes the depth of the river, v(x,t) denotes the mean velocity, α is the constant angle of inclination, and Cf is the constant friction coefficient.
Find the characteristic velocities and the characteristic form of the equations. Find the Riemann variables and show that if Cf=0 then the Riemann variables vary linearly with t on the characteristics.