Verifying Transport Equation as a Dispersion Equation

  • Context: MHB 
  • Thread starter Thread starter evinda
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Transport
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The transport equation \( u_t + au_x = 0 \) is definitively not a dispersion equation, as demonstrated through the analysis of wave functions. The solution \( u(x,t) = A \cos(kx - \omega t) \) leads to the condition \( \omega - ak = 0 \), indicating that all wave functions travel with the same velocity \( a \) regardless of their wavenumbers \( k_1 \) and \( k_2 \). This confirms that the transport equation does not exhibit the varying velocities characteristic of dispersion equations.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of partial differential equations (PDEs)
  • Familiarity with wave functions and their properties
  • Knowledge of dispersion relations in wave mechanics
  • Basic algebra for manipulating equations
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the characteristics of dispersion equations in detail
  • Learn about different types of wave equations and their solutions
  • Explore the implications of wave velocity in various physical contexts
  • Investigate the role of amplitude in wave propagation
USEFUL FOR

Mathematicians, physicists, and engineering students interested in wave mechanics, particularly those studying the properties of partial differential equations and their applications in modeling wave phenomena.

evinda
Gold Member
MHB
Messages
3,741
Reaction score
0
Hello! (Wave)

Definition
A partial differential equation is called dispersion equation if it allows solutions in the form of a wave function and furthermore solutions in the form of a wave function with different wavenumbers have different velocities.
The relation between the cyclic frequency and the wavenumber at a wave function that is a solution of a pde is called dispersion relation.

I want to check if the transport equation $u_t+au_x=0, a \in \mathbb{R}$ is a dispersion equation.
I have tried the following:

We suppose that $u(x,t)=A \cos(kx-\omega t)$ is a solution of $u_t+a u_x=0, a \in \mathbb{R}$.

We have: $u_t= A \omega \sin(kx -\omega t) \\ u_x=-A k \sin(kx- \omega t)$

Thus it has to hold : $A \omega \sin(kx-\omega t)-a A k \sin(kx- \omega t)=0$ or equivalently $A(\omega-ak) sin(kx-\omega t)=0$.

So it has to hold: $\omega-ak=0$.

$u(x,t)=A \cos(kx- \omega t)$ is a solution of the transport equation iff $\omega-ak=0$.

We fix $\omega, k$ for which the above algebraic equation is satisfied.

We write the solution in the form of a traveling wave.

We have $u(x,t)= A \cos(kx-\omega t)=A \cos \left( k \left( x- \frac{\omega}{k}t \right)\right)$

Since $\omega-ak=0$ we have $\frac{\omega}{k}=a$.

So $u(x,t)=A \cos\left( k(x-at)\right)$ is a traveling wave with velocity $a$.

So we see that if $k_1, k_2>0$ wavenumbers with $k_1 \neq k_2$ then we have solutions in the form of a wave function

$$u_1(x,t)=A \cos(k_1(x-at)) \\ u_2(x,t)=A \cos(k_2(x-at))$$

that "travel" with the same velocity $a$.

Therefore, we conclude that the transport equation $u_t+au_x=0, a \in \mathbb{R}$ is not a dispersion equation.Am I right or have I done something wrong? (Thinking)
 
Last edited:
Physics news on Phys.org
Hey! (Smile)

Let's see... (Thinking)

So the speed is linear with $a$, which makes sense, and also with the amplitude $A$...
But I don't think that a wave becomes twice as fast if its amplitude is twice as high. (Worried)
Can it be there is a mistake with $A$? (Wondering)
 
I like Serena said:
Hey! (Smile)

Let's see... (Thinking)

So the speed is linear with $a$, which makes sense, and also with the amplitude $A$...
But I don't think that a wave becomes twice as fast if its amplitude is twice as high. (Worried)
Can it be there is a mistake with $A$? (Wondering)

Oh yes, right... I edited my post... Is it right now? (Thinking)
 
evinda said:
Oh yes, right... I edited my post... Is it right now? (Thinking)

Yep. I believe so. (Nod)
 
I like Serena said:
Yep. I believe so. (Nod)

Nice... Thanks a lot! (Yes)
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
3K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
3K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
3K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
3K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
3K
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
4K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
3K
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
4K