Singularities: Formation, Structure, and Propagation: 53 (Cambridge Texts in Applied Mathematics, Series Number 53) - Softcover

'The book will serve as an excellent introduction to the field of singularities in continuum mechanics, and a valuable resource for researchers ... In short, a wonderful achievement!' H. K. Moffatt, Journal of Fluid Mechanics

Many key phenomena in physics and engineering are described as singularities in the solutions to the differential equations describing them. Examples covered thoroughly in this book include the formation of drops and bubbles, the propagation of a crack and the formation of a shock in a gas. Aimed at a broad audience, this book provides the mathematical tools for understanding singularities and explains the many common features in their mathematical structure. Part I introduces the main concepts and techniques, using the most elementary mathematics possible so that it can be followed by readers with only a general background in differential equations. Parts II and III require more specialised methods of partial differential equations, complex analysis and asymptotic techniques. The book may be used for advanced fluid mechanics courses and as a complement to a general course on applied partial differential equations.