Whitham (George B. Whitham)

George B. Whitham was a physicist and mathematician known for developing methods to analyze complex wave behavior in various media. His work, called the Whitham averaging method, helps scientists understand how waves evolve over time and space, especially when they are nonlinear or interact with each other. This approach simplifies complicated wave equations into more manageable forms, revealing patterns and dynamics that aren't immediately obvious. Whitham's insights are important in fields like fluid dynamics, optics, and plasma physics, providing a powerful tool for predicting wave phenomena in real-world systems.