A first order in time wave equation modeling nonlinear acoustics

In this paper we focus on a small amplitude approximation of a Navier-Stokes-Fourier system modeling nonlinear acoustics. Omitting all third and higher order terms with respect to certain small parameters, we obtain a first order in time system containing linear and quadratic pressure and velocity terms. Subsequently, the well-posedness of the derived system is shown using the classical method of Galerkin approximation in combination with a fixed point argument. We first prove the well-posedness of a linearized equation using energy estimates and then the well-posedness of the nonlinear system using a Newton-Kantorovich type argument. Based on this, we also obtain global in time well-posedness for small enough data and exponential decay. This is in line with semigroup results for a linear part of the system that we provide as well. • derivation of 1st order nonlinear acoustics model from balance and constitutive laws. • global in time well-posedness proof of PDE system with initial-boundary conditions. • pressure-velocity formulation crucial for numerical tools.