Now in its second edition, this book continues to give readers a broad mathematical basis for modelling and understanding the wide range of wave phenomena encountered in modern applications. New and expanded material includes topics such as elastoplastic waves and waves in plasmas, as well as new exercises. Comprehensive collections of models are used to illustrate the underpinning mathematical methodologies, which include the basic ideas of the relevant partial differential equations, characteristics, ray theory, asymptotic analysis, dispersion, shock waves, and weak solutions. Although the main focus is on compressible fluid flow, the authors show how intimately gasdynamic waves are related to wave phenomena in many other areas of physical science.
Special emphasis is placed on the development of physical intuition to supplement and reinforce analytical thinking. Each chapter includes
a complete set of carefully prepared exercises, making this a suitable textbook for students in applied mathematics, engineering, and other physical sciences.
Reviews of the first edition:
"This book ... is an introduction to the theory of linear and nonlinear waves in fluids, including the theory of shock waves. ... is extraordinarily accurate and free of misprints ... . I enjoyed reading this book. ... most attractive and enticing appearance, and I'm certain that many readers who browse through it will wish to buy a copy. The exercises ... are excellent. ... A beginner who worked through these exercises would not only enjoy himself or herself, but would rapidly acquire mastery of techniques used...in JFM and many other journals..." (C. J. Chapman, Journal of Fluid Mechanics, Vol. 521, 2004)
"The book targets a readership of final year undergraduates and first year graduates in applied mathematics. In the reviewer's opinion, it is very well designed to catch the student's interest ... while every chapter displays essential features in some important area of fluid dynamics. Additionally, students may practice by solving 91 exercises. This volume is mainly devoted to inviscid flows. ... The book is very well written." (Denis Serre, Mathematical Reviews, 2004)
Special emphasis is placed on the development of physical intuition to supplement and reinforce analytical thinking. Each chapter includes
a complete set of carefully prepared exercises, making this a suitable textbook for students in applied mathematics, engineering, and other physical sciences.
Reviews of the first edition:
"This book ... is an introduction to the theory of linear and nonlinear waves in fluids, including the theory of shock waves. ... is extraordinarily accurate and free of misprints ... . I enjoyed reading this book. ... most attractive and enticing appearance, and I'm certain that many readers who browse through it will wish to buy a copy. The exercises ... are excellent. ... A beginner who worked through these exercises would not only enjoy himself or herself, but would rapidly acquire mastery of techniques used...in JFM and many other journals..." (C. J. Chapman, Journal of Fluid Mechanics, Vol. 521, 2004)
"The book targets a readership of final year undergraduates and first year graduates in applied mathematics. In the reviewer's opinion, it is very well designed to catch the student's interest ... while every chapter displays essential features in some important area of fluid dynamics. Additionally, students may practice by solving 91 exercises. This volume is mainly devoted to inviscid flows. ... The book is very well written." (Denis Serre, Mathematical Reviews, 2004)
"The book aims to present a consistent theory of waves originating in hydrodynamics of incompressible and compressible fluids ... . The book includes many exercises. Solving specially marked key exercises is assumed to be an essential part of the reading." (Boris A. Malomed, zbMATH 1339.76001, 2016)
From the reviews:
"The volume by Ockendon and Ockendon ... updates the 1983 Inviscid Fluid Flows, by H. Ockendon and Alan B. Tayler. In this new book they view gas dynamics as a paradigm for more general wave propagation. Chapter 2 ... will particularly benefit undergraduate readers. ... Throughout, the authors develop serious applications both in the text and in the exercises. Overall, this is a very inviting introduction to a notoriously difficult subject. ... Highly recommended." (D.V. Feldman, CHOICE, Vol. 42 (5), January, 2005)
"This book, a welcome addition to the literature on the application of linear ... . in its present completely rewritten and updated form, it reflects the widening of interest that has subsequently taken place in the study of nonlinear waves in the physical sciences. ... The range of topics covered will be both a benefit to students and a stimulus ... . This is a good book that will be appreciated by all students who wish to gain a sound understanding ... ." (Alan Jeffrey, Zentralblatt MATH, Vol. 1041 (16), 2004)
"This book ... is an introduction to the theory of linear and nonlinear waves in fluids, including the theory of shock waves. ... is extraordinarily accurate and free of misprints ... . I enjoyed reading this book. ... most attractive and enticing appearance, and I'm certain that many readers who browse through it will wish to buy a copy. The exercises ... are excellent. ... A beginner who worked through these exercises would not only enjoy himself or herself ... ." (C. J. Chapman, Journal of Fluid Mechanics, Vol. 521, 2004)
"The book targets a readership of final year undergraduates and first year graduates in applied mathematics. In the reviewer's opinion, it is very well designed to catch the student's interest ... while every chapter displays essential features in some important area of fluid dynamics. Additionally, students may practice by solving 91 exercises. This volume ismainly devoted to inviscid flows. ... The book is very well written." (Denis Serre, Mathematical Reviews, 2004)
"The volume by Ockendon and Ockendon ... updates the 1983 Inviscid Fluid Flows, by H. Ockendon and Alan B. Tayler. In this new book they view gas dynamics as a paradigm for more general wave propagation. Chapter 2 ... will particularly benefit undergraduate readers. ... Throughout, the authors develop serious applications both in the text and in the exercises. Overall, this is a very inviting introduction to a notoriously difficult subject. ... Highly recommended." (D.V. Feldman, CHOICE, Vol. 42 (5), January, 2005)
"This book, a welcome addition to the literature on the application of linear ... . in its present completely rewritten and updated form, it reflects the widening of interest that has subsequently taken place in the study of nonlinear waves in the physical sciences. ... The range of topics covered will be both a benefit to students and a stimulus ... . This is a good book that will be appreciated by all students who wish to gain a sound understanding ... ." (Alan Jeffrey, Zentralblatt MATH, Vol. 1041 (16), 2004)
"This book ... is an introduction to the theory of linear and nonlinear waves in fluids, including the theory of shock waves. ... is extraordinarily accurate and free of misprints ... . I enjoyed reading this book. ... most attractive and enticing appearance, and I'm certain that many readers who browse through it will wish to buy a copy. The exercises ... are excellent. ... A beginner who worked through these exercises would not only enjoy himself or herself ... ." (C. J. Chapman, Journal of Fluid Mechanics, Vol. 521, 2004)
"The book targets a readership of final year undergraduates and first year graduates in applied mathematics. In the reviewer's opinion, it is very well designed to catch the student's interest ... while every chapter displays essential features in some important area of fluid dynamics. Additionally, students may practice by solving 91 exercises. This volume ismainly devoted to inviscid flows. ... The book is very well written." (Denis Serre, Mathematical Reviews, 2004)