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Center for Nonlinear Studies |
Wave breaking is perhaps the most commonly observed non linear phenomenon, but it cannot be considered as well understood. Nevertheless very simple nonlinear hyperbolic equations do show finite time singularities that can be interpreted geometrically as the occurrence of an overhang on a surface. One may derive from this idea the law of spreading of the wave breaking parallel to the crest of the wave, a time dependence in excellent agreement with recent experiments. I shall explain also that wave breaking is another way for Nature to regularize solutions of equations that are singular otherwise. The (short) Art section will be about a great painting by Courbet " La vague", showing a breaking wave. This will report work done jointly with Martine Le Berre, Michael Le Bars and Patrce Le Gall.
Host: Bob Ecke, T-CNLS / David Roberts T-13 & CNLS