Wave Equation

Wave equation

The name given to certain partial differential equations in classical and quantum physics which relate the spatial and time dependence of physical functions. In this article the classical and quantum wave equations are discussed separately, with the classical equations first for historical reasons.

In classical physics the name wave equation is given to the linear, homogeneous partial differential equations which have the form of Eq. (1). (1) Here &ugr; is a parameter with the dimensions of velocity; r represents the space coordinates x, y, z; t is the time; and ∇² is Laplace's operator defined by (2) Eq. (2). The function f( r ,t) is a physical observable; that is, it can be measured and consequently must be a real function.

The simplest example of a wave equation in classical physics is that governing the transverse motion of a string under tension and constrained to move in a plane.

A second type of classical physical situation in which the wave equation (1) supplies a mathematical description of the physical reality is the propagation of pressure waves in a fluid medium. Such waves are called acoustical waves, the propagation of sound being an example. A third example of a classical physical situation in which Eq. (1) gives a description of the phenomena is afforded by electromagnetic waves. In a region of space in which the charge and current densities are zero, Maxwell's equations for the photon lead to the wave equations (3). (3) Here E is the electric field strength and B is the magnetic flux density; they are both vectors in ordinary space. The parameter c is the speed of light in vacuum. See Electromagnetic radiation, Maxwell's equations

The nonrelativistic Schrödinger equation is an example of a quantum wave equation. Relativistic quantum-mechanical wave equations include the Schrödinger-Klein-Gordon equation and the Dirac equation. See Quantum mechanics, Relativistic quantum theory

Wave Equation

a partial differential equation that describes the process of propagation of a disturbance in a medium. In the case of small disturbances and a homogeneous, isotropic medium, the wave equation has the form

where x, y, and z are spatial variables; t is time; u = u(x, y, z) is the function to be determined, which characterizes the disturbance at point (x, y, z) and time t; and a is the velocity of propagation of the disturbance. The wave equation is one of the fundamental equations of mathematical physics and is applied extensively. If u is a function of only two (one) spatial variables, then the wave equation is simplified and is called a two-dimensional (one-dimensional) equation. It permits a solution in the form of a“diverging spherical wave”:

u = f(t – r/a)/r

where f is an arbitrary function and . The so-called elementary solution (elementary wave) is of particular interest:

u = δ(t - r/a)/r

(where δ is the delta function); it gives the process of propagation for a disturbance produced by an instantaneous point source acting at the origin (when t = 0). Figuratively speaking, an elementary wave is an“infinite surge” on a circumference r = at that is moving away from the origin at a velocity a with gradually diminishing intensity. By superimposing elementary waves it is possible to describe the process of propagation of an arbitrary disturbance.

Small vibrations of a string are described by a one-dimensional wave equation:

In 1747, J. d’Alembert proposed a method of solving this wave equation in terms of superimposed forward and back waves: u = f(x - at) + g(x + at); and in 1748, L. Euler established that the functions f and g are determined by as-signing so-called initial conditions.

REFERENCE

Tikhonov, A. N., and A. A. Samarskii. Uravneniia matematicheskoi fiziki, 3rd ed. Moscow, 1966.

P. I. LIZORKIN

wave equation

[′wāv i‚kwā·zhən] (physics) In classical physics, a special equation governing waves that suffer no dissipative attenuation; it states that the second partial derivative with respect to time of the function characterizing the wave is equal to the square of the wave velocity times the Laplacian of this function. Also known as classical wave equation; d'Alembert's wave equation. Any of several equations which relate the spatial and time dependence of a function characterizing some physical entity which can propagate as a wave, including quantum-wave equations for particles.

wave equation

wave equation

wave equation

Wave Equation

Wave equation

Wave Equation

REFERENCE

wave equation

wave equation

Words related to wave equation

noun a differential equation that describes the passage of harmonic waves through a medium

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