Analysis of ray tube area in geometrical shock dynamics

摘要

We provide a rigorous analysis of structure of a ray tube in geometrical shock dynamics. Our aim is to shed more lights on the cross-sectional area function of a ray tube. We have shown that for a given ray tube and a given initial value of cross-sectional area, then its cross-sectional area can be determined uniquely everywhere. We give a definition of cross-sectional area of a ray tube in precise mathematical terms and from that we derive a set of relations, each describing the cross-sectional area for an arbitrary ray tube in geometrical shock dynamics. We have shown that from our results one can deduce Whitham’s area function relation as a partial differential equation from our general formulations. Some applications are discussed.