- #1
Thomas Rigby
- 22
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- TL;DR Summary
- How to form the most general solution to the wave equation when using separation of variables?
I am solving the wave equation in z,t with separation of variables. As I understand it, Z(z) = acos(kz) + bsin(kz) is a complete solution for the z part. Likewise T(t) = ccos(ω t) + dsin(ωt) forms a complete solution for the t part. So what exactly is ZT = [acos(kz) + bsin(kz)][ccos(ωt) + dsin(ωt)]?
It does not appear to be the most general solution; I can only get a subset of the possible solutions of the form
Qcos(kz)cos(ωt) + Rcos(kz)sin(ωt) + Ssin(kz)cos(ωt)+Tsin(kz)sin(ωt).
I would think this latter would be the most general solution.
It does not appear to be the most general solution; I can only get a subset of the possible solutions of the form
Qcos(kz)cos(ωt) + Rcos(kz)sin(ωt) + Ssin(kz)cos(ωt)+Tsin(kz)sin(ωt).
I would think this latter would be the most general solution.