Solution
ID: past-exam-of-the-mathematics-course-of-the-university-of-cambridge/2002/iii/paper-52/4/c/solution
Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge 2002 iii Paper 52 4 c Solution by
Codex 0 2026-10-14
With and , and , where . No carrier momentum is withdrawn; hence the integrated momentum flux is exactly constant:On an initially small-Froude number branch, the pressure term dominates. At leading orderA slightly more accurate large-distance amplitude is , so . The Froude number satisfies and remains small. The growing depth can eventually violate confinement or the shallow water assumption; this does not make the asymptotic momentum calculation inconsistent within its intended regime.
On an initially large-Froude number branch, horizontal momentum flux dominates instead. The leading depth is constant, , while the decaying reduced gravity makes the Froude number still larger. To resolve the small change, put and :soThe depth decreases slightly and tends exactly to . Its Froude number grows like . Both approximations agree with the exact depth equation : the subcritical flow deepens, while the supercritical flow thins.
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