Consider the ideal one-dimensional wave equation ∂²y/∂t² = v²∂²y/∂x². Which statements are correct?
Select all that apply

Question

Consider the ideal one-dimensional wave equation ∂²y/∂t² = v²∂²y/∂x². Which statements are correct?

G1 Physics · Accepted Answer

The coefficient v is the wave speed. Direct differentiation shows that both f(x−vt) and g(x+vt) satisfy the wave equation. Sinusoidal progressive waves are special choices of these arbitrary functions. Therefore A, B and D are correct, while C is false.