Hydrodynamic waves in regions with smooth loss of convexity of isentropes:General phenomenological theory

A general phenomenological theory of hydrodynamic waves in regions with smo oth loss of convexity of isentropes is developed, based on the fact that fo r most media these regions in the p-V plane are anomalously small. Accordin gly the waves are usually weak and can be described in the manner analogous to that for weak shock waves of compression. The corresponding generalized Burgers equation is derived and analyzed. The exact solution of the equati on for steady shock waves of rarefaction is obtained and discussed.