Scattering of a Plane Longitudinal Wave by a Spherical Obstacle in an Isotropically Elastic Solid

Abstract

Scattering by a spherical obstacle of a plane longitudinal wave propagating in an isotropically elastic solid is computed. Expressions for the scattered wave and the total scattered energy are given. Three special types of obstacle—an isotropically elastic sphere, a spherical cavity, and a rigid sphere—are discussed in detail, especially for Rayleigh scattering. The result for the isotropically elastic sphere is compared with the well-known result of scattering of a plane wave propagating in an ideal fluid by a sphere of another ideal fluid.