A finite difference scheme for the MRLW and solitary wave interactions

The modified regularized long wave (MRLW) equation is solved numerically using the finite difference method. Fourier stability analysis of the linearized scheme shows that it is a marginally stable. Also, the local truncation error of the method is investigated. Three invariants of motion are evaluated to determine the conservation properties of the problem, and the numerical scheme leads to accurate and. efficient results. Moreover, interaction of two and three solitary waves is shown. The development of the Maxwellian initial condition into solitary waves is also shown and we show that the number of solitons which are generated from the Maxwellian initial condition can be determined. Numerical results show also that a tail of small amplitude appears after the interactions. (c) 2006 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.