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06 Elementary Solutions To The Wave Equation, Charles G. Torre
06 Elementary Solutions To The Wave Equation, Charles G. Torre
Foundations of Wave Phenomena
Before systematically exploring the wave equation, it is good to pause and contemplate some basic solutions. We are looking for a function q of 2 variables, x and t, whose second x derivatives and second t derivatives are proportional. You can probably guess such functions with a little thought. But our derivation of the equation from the model of a chain of oscillators gives a strong hint.