The wave equation

The wave equation describes how waves, like sound or light, move through a medium or space over time. It mathematically relates the changes in a wave’s displacement at different points and times, capturing how a disturbance travels. For example, when you pluck a string, the resulting vibration spreads outward as a wave. The wave equation helps scientists understand and predict the behavior of these waves, considering factors like their speed and how they spread or reflect, without needing to focus on the tiny details of the medium itself.