Nonlocally related systems, linearization and nonlocal symmetries for the nonlinear wave equation

The nonlinear wave equation u(tt) = (c(2)(u)u(x))(x) arises in various physical applications. Ames et al. [WE Ames, R.J. Lohner, E. Adams, Group properties of ult = [f (u)u(x)](x), Int. J. Nonlin. Mech. 16 (1981) 439-447] did the complete group classification for its admitted point symmetries with respect to the wave speed function c(u) and as a consequence constructed explicit invariant solutions for some specific cases. By considering conservation laws for arbitrary c(u), we find a tree of nonlocally related systems and subsystems which include related linear systems through hodograph transformations. We use existing work on such related linear systems to extend the known symmetry classification in [WE Ames, R.J. Lohner, E. Adams, Group properties of ut, = [f (u)u,]x, Int. J. Nonlin. Mech. 16 (1981) 439-447] to include nonlocal symmetries. Moreover, we find sets of c(u) for which such nonlinear wave equations admit further nonlocal symmetries and hence significantly further extend the group classification of the nonlinear wave equation. (c) 2006 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.