Invariant Conservation Law-Preserving Discretizations of Linear and Nonlinear Wave Equations

Abstract: Symmetry- and conservation law-preserving finite difference discretizations are obtained for linear and nonlinear one-dimensional wave equations on five- and nine-point stencils, using the theory of Lie point symmetries of difference equations, and the discrete direct multiplier method of conservation law construction. In particular, for the linear wave equation, an explicit five-point scheme is presented that preserves the discrete analogs of its basic geometric point symmetries, and six of the corresponding conservation laws. For a class of nonlinear wave equations arising in hyperelasticity, a nine-point implicit scheme is constructed, preserving four point symmetries and three local conservation laws. Other discretization of the nonlinear wave equations preserving different subsets of conservation laws are discussed.