Spurious modes in finite-element discretizations of the wave equation may not be all that bad (Q1294611)

High-order finite element discretizations of the one-dimensional wave equation with constant coefficients are considered. The errors for the propagation of spurious modes are investigated by using the discrete Fourier transform and analyzing the eigenvalues and eigenvectors of the spatial operator. The errors are shown to introduce quite acceptable contributions to the overall numerical error. Several types of nodes spacings are considered, the Gauss-Lobato points and mass lumping being shown to be advantageous.