Godunov numerical flux ($F_G(a,b)$)

For a scalar conservation law whose flux is a convex function, the Godunov numerical flux is the physical flux at the origin of the entropy solution of the Riemann problem between states $a,b$. It is ${\min }_{u\in [a,b]}f(u)$ for $a\le b$ and ${\max }_{u\in [b,a]}f(u)$ for $a>b$. For a rarefaction wave, the characteristic speed is monotone across its states, so the origin sees either an endpoint or a zero-speed minimizing state. For a shock wave, its speed is $(f(a)-f(b))/(a-b)$; the origin sees the left state if this speed is positive and the right state if negative, selecting the larger endpoint flux. Unlike the Godunov flux, the Engquist-Osher flux at reversed transsonic states may equal $f(a)+f(b)-f(s_{\ast })$.