"Study of One Dimensional Wave Equation": Galgotias University
"Study of One Dimensional Wave Equation": Galgotias University
"Study of One Dimensional Wave Equation": Galgotias University
Introduction
Derivation of the wave equation
Solution of the One Dimensional Wave Equation
Examples
Reference
ONE DIMENSIONAL WAVE EQUATION
INTRODUCTION
In other words, solutions of the 1D wave equation are sums of a right traveling
function F and a left traveling function G. "Traveling" means that the shape of
these individual arbitrary functions with respect to x stays constant, however the
functions are translated left and right with time at the speed c. This was derived
by Jean le Rond d'Alembert.
Another way to arrive at this result is to note that the wave equation may be "factored" into two One-
way wave equations:
From this, v must have the form G(x + ct), and from this the correct form of the full solution u can be
deduced. Beside the mathematical decomposition of the 2nd order wave equation the One-way
wave equation can also be directly derived from the impedance.
For an initial value problem, the arbitrary functions F and G can be determined to satisfy initial
conditions:
The general solution of this equation can be written in the form of two independent
variables,
F and G are functions of the boundary conditions of the problem. The function F(Vbt+x)
represents the wave front that propagates in the negative x direction, while the function
G(Vbt-x) represents the wave that travels in the positive x direction. This is shown in the
accompanying worksheet.
We assume that the disturbance moves unchanged in shape from xo to x1. The equation
for this is:
F(Vb t0 x0 ) F(Vb t1 x1) (14)
Simplifying yields:
Examples
REFERENCE
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wave_equation
http://www.ce.memphis.edu/7137/Dynamic_Geotechnical/introduction_
files/One%20Dimensional%20Wave%20Equation.pdf