Dispersive Wave: Difference between revisions

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Since the [[#Phase Velocity|phase velocity]] is <math>\frac{\omega}{k}</math>, if <math>\omega(k) = c k</math> for some scalar <math>c</math>, then the phase velocity is <math>c</math>, independent of <math>k</math>, so that all waves, no matter their wavelength, travel at the same speed. But if the dispersion relation is some other function of <math>k</math>, waves of different wavelengths travel at different speeds, leading to dispersion.
Since the [[Glossary#Phase_Velocity|phase velocity]] in one dimension is given by <math>c_p=\frac{\omega}{k}</math> and the group velocity is given by <math>c_g= \frac{\partial\omega}{\partial k}</math>, if <math>c_g = c_p</math>, then <math>\frac{\partial\omega}{\partial k} = \frac{\omega}{k}</math>, so that <math>\omega = ck </math> for some scalar <math>c</math>.  Note that if <math>c_p=c_g=c</math>, then all waves, no matter their wavelength, travel at the same speed. If the dispersion relation is some other function of <math>k</math>, waves of different wavelengths travel at different speeds, leading to dispersion.
 
All of this was in the case of one dimension.  In multiple dimensions we must turn to the definitions <math> \vec{c_p}</math> = <math> \frac{\omega}{|\vec{k}|}\hat{k}</math> and <math> \vec{c_g}</math> = <math> \nabla_{\vec{k}} \omega</math>.  In this case the phase and group velocities may point many more directions than along the positive or negative <math>k</math> axis.

Latest revision as of 13:55, 4 April 2017

Since the phase velocity in one dimension is given by and the group velocity is given by , if , then , so that for some scalar . Note that if , then all waves, no matter their wavelength, travel at the same speed. If the dispersion relation is some other function of , waves of different wavelengths travel at different speeds, leading to dispersion.

All of this was in the case of one dimension. In multiple dimensions we must turn to the definitions = and = . In this case the phase and group velocities may point many more directions than along the positive or negative axis.