Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge 2009 iii Paper 79 1 c Solution Created 2026-10-03 Updated 2026-10-14
The rigid bottom reflects the lower-layer wave. Its repeated returns to the interface create an internal-wave cavity response containing both upward and downward components in , while the upper layer contains the imposed incident wave and one net reflected wave.
Let the lower downward and upward particle-displacement coefficients be and , multiplying and respectively. Their vertical displacement has opposite polarization signs:Zero normal velocity at gives , where . Interface continuity consequently becomesFor the specified angles, and . ThusThe dependence on bottom depth is thereforeIn particular,Here and , so the positive depths giving this maximum areThe lower vertical-displacement standing-wave envelope is , while its horizontal-displacement envelope has the complementary cosine form. These distinguish the total standing disturbance from the amplitude of either traveling component. The traveling amplitude has minimum at .