The Wave Equation for BEGINNERS | Physics Equations Made Easy

Ever wondered what the Classical Wave Equation is all about? Well now you can find out!

Hey everyone, I'm back with another video. This time, I'm breaking down the Classical Wave Equation for you, because I really enjoy making these videos where I explain what a physics equation is trying to tell us.

The Classical Wave Equation describes the behaviour of waves (duh) as they move through space and time. In this video we discuss one particular solution of the wave equation in detail - sinusoidal waves. Remember though, that there are other solutions to the wave equation, such as spherical waves. However, sinusoidal waves make the wave equation the easiest to explain in my opinion.

We will first learn about differentiation, which is a very important sub-section of calculus. We will learn about this because the Wave Equation is known as a differential equation. Well technically, the equation being discussed in this video is a one-dimensional second-order linear partial differential equation. It might seem like I'm just throwing jargon at you, but in this video I will describe exactly what each bit of that description means. And the best part is, you don't need to be studying physics or mathematics at university to understand it! If I've made this video correctly, then you should be able to understand it if you've studied mathematics or physics up to high school level.

We will learn about differentiation in this video because differentiation is heavily featured in the wave equation. We take an equation that describes the wave we happen to be studying, and differentiate it with respect to both time and position. We do this until we can test if our wave obeys the rules set down by the wave equation (of sorts). If it does, then our wave is said to "obey" the wave equation.

The wave equation describes lots of classical waves, such as light waves, sound waves, mechanical waves, etc. However, there are many other kinds of wave equation - the Schrodinger Equation being a good example. The Classical Wave Equation discussed in this video only deals with the subset of waves known about long before the advent of Special Relativity or Quantum Mechanics.

With all of that being said, if you have any questions, please do let me know in the comments section down below. I will try to answer as many as possible.

If you enjoyed this video, please do leave a thumbs up and subscribe for more fun physics content. Hit that bell button if you want to be notified every time I upload. Follow me on Instagram @parthvlogs to see what I get up to on a more day-to-day basis.

[ParthGChannel]

And as always, let me know what other topics to cover in future videos!

[MarceloUmeda]

Parth, for the sake of education, I hope you take teaching for a career, or the world will be losing an amazingly gifted educator.

[epromee]

8:22 "Let's differentiate YOU with respect"
Thanks for the respect, but I prefer to stay integrated :)

[ivanmarianek]

You could make a video about Navier-Stokes equations.

[anwesha]

Couldn't imagine of such a simplified explanation of seemingly complex wave equation! Really grateful for this...never stop making videos!! They're so helpful!

[alirezanabavian]

I am an electrical and electronics engineer myself and I have seen many professor's and highly talented engineers but hats off to you since your on my top list for the best instructor/professor ever seen..I really enjoy watching your videos..you are such A gifted talented technician ...and I by technician I mean the you have it in your DNA...so plz never stop what you're doing...

[raghdaelraaie]

I just wanna say, Thank you so much for making those "the" wave equation videos 👏 because I really hated how our curriculum is so dull and abstract, but you made things so clear and sensible, especially with visual and analysis 👍

[Kni]

Dear Parth, I should say you are the best person who clearly explains the basics of physics. I have a Phd and now I am recapping some basics from your fabulous videos :) best luck. You deserve more likes and subs.

[alfredwilliamson]

It’s so helpful having someone who actually explains it all without assuming you already understand A level and university level Maths and Physics.

[yuvrajmurali]

Upnext : One Dimension Heat flow please!!

[imanabu]

I just love you man, I love what you do and I love how you make me love my major after I was traumatized by it in my freshman year ! I can't even express how thankful I am for all those youtube educators out here, they, and you Parth deserve all the credits❤️❤️🙏

[fatimaamin-jj]

Loved it. Helped me restore my basic understandings which had gone all fuzzy.

[emilylancaster]

spitefully growing out your hair and beard to annoy youtube commenters is a MOOD

[calvinnewkirk]

Parth, as a non-physics student I have been trying to sit in on some open course ware physics classes. The prof obviously believes the students already understand what you just explained, because he doesn't explain it in his lectures. The students must get it from their books and homework which I do not have. I can't tell you how great it is to find this video. Now, I get what is going on in class. Thanks. Cal

[yashhkotecha]

I (and I'm sure a lot of others) would LOVE to watch a series on the Einstein Field Equations (EFE) explained by you. I have been following you for a long time and your explanations are phenomenal. Since you mentioned in a previous video that you are brushing up on General Relativity, an intro series (or whatsoever you believe is right) on EFEs would be LOVELY. Thank you Parth bhaiya! :) @ParthG

[abhishekprasad]

If anyone really want to learn what exactly differentiation is the you should what the calculus series of 3Blue 1Brown

[kumar]

Thanks Partha. I graduated in Electrical Engineering 35 years ago. Never worked in that field at all. I am right now so happy to revisit all that I studied long ago. Wish you the very best.

[drunkmadala]

At first I was intimidated by this complex equation; thanks to your explanations. I can't believe how simple this equation is.

[anisahmed]

I, Dr Anis Ahmed , Professor in Medical College at Udaipur, Rajasthan, India following you since last 2 years. I fond of physics especially Quantum physics. Please make a video on quantum fields . Your way of explanation is excellent. Keep it up

[MateusCavalcanteFonseca]

I see a lot of science videos for at least 10 years. Your explanation was one of the most powerfull, in regard to be understandable, i ever seen.