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Asymmetric wave-stress tensors and wave spin

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 March 2006

W. L. Jones
Affiliation:
Department of Physics, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand

Abstract

Linearized wave-stress tensors derived from Hamilton's variational principle may be asymmetric. If interpreted as momentum fluxes, they would lead to lack of conservation of orbital angular momentum. It is shown that changes in internal angular momentum or spin of waves and torque coupling to external fields can adequately provide conservation of total angular momentum in such cases, Examples are given for acoustic, internal gravity, Rossby and plasma waves.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
© 1973 Cambridge University Press

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