2: The Classical Wave Equation
- Page ID
- 11779
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\(\newcommand{\avec}{\mathbf a}\) \(\newcommand{\bvec}{\mathbf b}\) \(\newcommand{\cvec}{\mathbf c}\) \(\newcommand{\dvec}{\mathbf d}\) \(\newcommand{\dtil}{\widetilde{\mathbf d}}\) \(\newcommand{\evec}{\mathbf e}\) \(\newcommand{\fvec}{\mathbf f}\) \(\newcommand{\nvec}{\mathbf n}\) \(\newcommand{\pvec}{\mathbf p}\) \(\newcommand{\qvec}{\mathbf q}\) \(\newcommand{\svec}{\mathbf s}\) \(\newcommand{\tvec}{\mathbf t}\) \(\newcommand{\uvec}{\mathbf u}\) \(\newcommand{\vvec}{\mathbf v}\) \(\newcommand{\wvec}{\mathbf w}\) \(\newcommand{\xvec}{\mathbf x}\) \(\newcommand{\yvec}{\mathbf y}\) \(\newcommand{\zvec}{\mathbf z}\) \(\newcommand{\rvec}{\mathbf r}\) \(\newcommand{\mvec}{\mathbf m}\) \(\newcommand{\zerovec}{\mathbf 0}\) \(\newcommand{\onevec}{\mathbf 1}\) \(\newcommand{\real}{\mathbb R}\) \(\newcommand{\twovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\ctwovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\threevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cthreevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\mattwo}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{rr}#1 \amp #2 \\ #3 \amp #4 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\laspan}[1]{\text{Span}\{#1\}}\) \(\newcommand{\bcal}{\cal B}\) \(\newcommand{\ccal}{\cal C}\) \(\newcommand{\scal}{\cal S}\) \(\newcommand{\wcal}{\cal W}\) \(\newcommand{\ecal}{\cal E}\) \(\newcommand{\coords}[2]{\left\{#1\right\}_{#2}}\) \(\newcommand{\gray}[1]{\color{gray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\lgray}[1]{\color{lightgray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\rank}{\operatorname{rank}}\) \(\newcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\col}{\text{Col}}\) \(\renewcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\nul}{\text{Nul}}\) \(\newcommand{\var}{\text{Var}}\) \(\newcommand{\corr}{\text{corr}}\) \(\newcommand{\len}[1]{\left|#1\right|}\) \(\newcommand{\bbar}{\overline{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bhat}{\widehat{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bperp}{\bvec^\perp}\) \(\newcommand{\xhat}{\widehat{\xvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\vhat}{\widehat{\vvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\uhat}{\widehat{\uvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\what}{\widehat{\wvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\Sighat}{\widehat{\Sigma}}\) \(\newcommand{\lt}{<}\) \(\newcommand{\gt}{>}\) \(\newcommand{\amp}{&}\) \(\definecolor{fillinmathshade}{gray}{0.9}\)The aim of this section is to give a fairly brief review of waves in various shaped elastic media—beginning with a taut string, then going on to an elastic sheet, a drumhead, first of rectangular shape then circular, and finally considering elastic waves on a spherical surface, like a balloon. The reason we look at this material here is that these are “real waves”, hopefully not too difficult to think about, and yet mathematically they are the solutions of the same wave equation the Schrödinger wavefunction obeys in various contexts, so should be helpful in visualizing solutions to that equation, in particular for the hydrogen atom.
- 2.1: The One-Dimensional Wave Equation
- This page discusses waves, highlighting their characteristics as both particles and structures. It differentiates between traveling waves, which propagate and transmit energy (like sound and electromagnetic waves), and stationary waves, which remain fixed at points (like on a guitar string). The classical wave equation describes these properties, and the behavior of waves is impacted by initial and boundary conditions.
- 2.2: The Method of Separation of Variables
- This page explains the Separation of Variables technique for solving wave equations, transforming complex second-order PDEs into simpler ODEs. It details the process of finding solutions in the form \(u(x,t) = X(x)T(t)\) and imposes boundary conditions to derive constants, ignoring the trivial solution.
- 2.3: Oscillatory Solutions to Differential Equations
- This page covers oscillatory solutions to the wave equation, highlighting how boundary conditions influence valid solutions and lead to quantization of wavelengths. It includes the derivation of differential equations for standing waves, employs complex numbers, and analyzes two traveling waves by calculating their wavelengths and velocities. The text concludes with the derivation of combined wave forms, identifying nodes, and overall illustrates the mathematical framework of wave phenomena.
- 2.4: The General Solution is a Superposition of Normal Modes
- This page explains solving the wave equation by separating variables into spatial and temporal components, leading to complex number solutions and trigonometric functions under specific boundary conditions. It also covers the classical wave equation for a vibrating string, emphasizing time dependence and the Principle of Superposition.
- 2.5: A Vibrating Membrane
- This page examines wave propagation in two-dimensional systems, particularly in elastic membranes like drums. It details wave equations that mirror one-dimensional forms and uphold the Principle of Superposition, albeit with added complexity from multiple curvatures. The analysis includes vibrational modes of rectangular and circular membranes, the latter employing more intricate polar notation and Bessel functions.
- 2.E: The Classical Wave Equation (Exercises)
- This page presents problems on differential equations, oscillations, and wave functions, including the derivation of general solutions, solving homogeneous equations with boundary conditions, and proofs about oscillation frequencies and wave behavior. It also explores the multi-dimensional expansion of the Schrödinger equation and energy calculations for confined particles, serving as a practical guide for key concepts in differential equations and quantum mechanics.