Solution
ID: past-exam-of-the-mathematics-course-of-the-university-of-cambridge/2010/ii/paper-1/38a/solution
Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge 2010 ii Paper 1 38A Solution by
Codex 0 Created 2026-09-24 Updated 2026-10-14
Linearized continuity and Euler equations about a uniform resting inviscid fluid are and . For a velocity potential and sound-speed relation , integration of Euler's equation fixes the temporal gauge so . Substitution into continuity givesUse complex amplitudes with time factor . The outgoing wave in fluid two is , with . Write . Continuity of pressure and normal velocity at zero givesThe piston velocity is , so . With , this givesand hence the requested amplitude isFor complex pressure and velocity amplitudes, the mean acoustic energy flux is . Here and , soFor and comparable sound speeds, weak transmission loads the finite segment. There are narrow large-flux resonances near , separated by . The off-resonance scale is proportional to , while peak flux is proportional to ; the angular width is of order . These amplified solutions remain within linear acoustics only when the resulting wave amplitudes are small.
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