wave equation

The wave equation describes how waves, such as sound, light, or water waves, move through a medium over time. It relates the change in a wave's displacement with respect to both space and time, showing how a disturbance travels without changing form. Mathematically, it links the second derivatives of the wave function with respect to time and space, indicating that the speed of wave propagation depends on the medium's properties. Essentially, the wave equation predicts how a wave will develop and spread, helping us understand phenomena from seismic activity to electromagnetic signals.