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Physics

The Wave Equation: Describing Vibrations in Space and Time

Quick fact

The wave equation was first formulated by Jean-Baptiste le Rond d'Alembert in 1746 to describe vibrating strings, and it still underlies modern quantum mechanics and general relativity.

Why this is interesting

Ever wondered why a ripple in a pond spreads as a perfect circle, or why a guitar string vibrates to produce a specific tone? There's a single equation that governs all such wave motions—what is it?