Motion of an ideal fluid in the field of a plane gravitational wave

An exact solution of the equations of relativistic hydrodynamics is found which describes the motion of an initially uniform ideal fluid in the field of a plane gravitational wave of arbitrary amplitude and polarization. For all solutions we find that the pressure and energy density develop singularities on the singular surface, and the velocity of the fluid in the direction of propagation of the gravitational wave approaches the speed of light. In the case of the equation of state =p, the solution becomes intrinsically unstable and describes the generation of sound waves.Translated from Izvestiya Vysshikh Uchebnykh Zavedenii, Fizika, No. 11, pp. 96–99, November, 1982.