Dictionary:Wave equation
An equation that relates the spatial and time dependence of a disturbance which can propagate as a wave. In rectangular coordinates x, y, z, it is
where ψ represents wave displacement (pressure, rotation, dilatation, etc.) and V the velocity of the wave. Functions f(ℓx+my+nz±Vt) are solutions to this equation. In spherical coordinates where r is the radius, θ the colatitude, and the longitude, the wave equation becomes:
The foregoing are forms of the scalar wave equation These forms do not provide for the conversion of P-waves to S-waves nor vice-versa. The vector wave equation is more general; it is
which can be written in component form as
If divψ=0, this gives an S-wave; if curl ψ=0, a P-wave. The wave equation in polar anisotropic (transversely isotropic) media is given in Figure T-13.