Preprint

We give an exhaustive characterization of singular weak solutions for ordinary differential equations of the form $\ddot{u}\,u + \frac{1}{2}\dot{u}^2 + F'(u) =0$, where $F$ is an analytic function. Our motivation stems from the fact that in the context of hydrodynamics several prominent equations are reducible to an equation of this form upon passing to a moving frame. We construct peaked and cusped waves, fronts with finite-time decay and compact solitary waves. We prove that one cannot obtain peaked and compactly supported traveling waves for the same equation. In particular, a peaked traveling wave cannot have compact support and vice versa. To exemplify the approach we apply our results to the Camassa-Holm equation and the equation for surface waves of moderate amplitude, and show how the different types of singular solutions can be obtained varying the energy level of the corresponding planar Hamiltonian systems.