A mathematical justification of the momentum density function associated to the KdV equation

Abstract

Consideration is given to the KdV equation as an approximate model for long waves of small amplitude at the free surface of an inviscid fluid. It is shown that there is an approximate momentum density associated to the KdV equation, and the difference between this density and the physical momentum density derived in the context of the full Euler equations can be estimated in terms of the long-wave parameter.