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wave equation
Sign in to savesecond-order linear differential equation important in physics
The wave equation is a mathematical formula used to describe how waves behave and change over time and space in physical systems. It matters because it helps physicists and engineers predict and understand phenomena like sound waves, light waves, and vibrations in materials.
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The wave equation is a second-order linear partial differential equation for the description of waves or standing wave fields such as mechanical waves (e.g. water waves, sound waves and seismic waves) or electromagnetic waves (including light waves). It arises in fields like acoustics, electromagnetism, and fluid dynamics.
This article focuses on waves in classical physics. Quantum physics uses an operator-based wave equation often as a relativistic wave equation.