Some examples of inelastic soliton interaction

Abstract An analogue of the Boussinesq equation is presented which is exact for ion-sound (s) waves in the linear limit and which is correct in the sense of the Cauchy problem. This equation can be used to study by computer the dynamics of various wave processes when weak nonlinearities and dispersive effects are taken into account. An equation is obtained to describe the hydrodynamic velocity of small amplitude s-waves. Properties of solitons and processes of their formation are investigated analytically and by computer. It is demonstrated that soliton interactions described by these equations are inelastic and that the coefficient of inelasticity increases with an increase of amplitude of the interacting solitons.