Wave Theory and Applications

Book excerpt: This textbook provides a modern introduction to wave theory and its applications to physical phenomena such as deep water waves, transmission lines, elasticity, and traffic flow. The author presents a broad coverage of the subject, including numerous exercises. Each of the main topics is described in detail with examples of their applications. These topics include the classical wave equation, dispersion, dissipation, interconnected waves, diffusive waves, and first and second order non-linear waves. The special attention paid to non-linear and elastic waves represents a major strength of the text, along with its inclusion of an entire chapter devoted to the use of characteristics and asymptotic expansions. Intended for advanced undergraduates, the book will also be of interest to instructors in mathematics, physics and engineering courses.