Hydrodynamic Waves in Regions with Smooth Loss of Convexity of Isentropes. General Phenomenological Theory

Abstract

General phenomenological theory of hydrodynamic waves in regions with smooth loss of convexity of isentropes is developed based on the fact that for most media these regions in p-V plane are anomalously small. Accordingly the waves are usually weak and can be described in the manner analogous to that for weak shock waves of compression. The corresponding generalized Burgers equation is derived and analyzed. The exact solution of the equation for steady shock waves of rarefaction is obtained and discusses.