How do Galilean transforms affect wave equations?

In summary, the physicists are trying to show that the wave equation is not invariant under a Galilean transform. They start by taking the derivative of the equation with respect to x and t, and then use the chain rule to get the derivative with respect to x', t'. However, this doesn't really give the correct answer because the wave equation takes the correct form for x and t, but not for x' and t'.
  • #1
mrmojorizing
7
0
Hi, if oyu look at question 16b in the link below in order to get the second derivative wrt to t they take the square of the first derivative. I don't get it, how does multiplying the first derivative by itself get you the second derivative?

http://stuff.mit.edu/afs/athena/course/8/8.20/www/sols/sol1.pdf

Also, regarding the same question:

I am familiar with the chain rule: if y=f(g(t,x),h(t,x)) then dy/dt=dy/dg*dg/dt+dy/dh*dh/dt
To show that an equation is invariant under a galiliean transform, it’s partially necessary to show that the equation takes the same form both for x and for x’=x-v(T). So if you have a wave equation for E which applies for x, and t, you want to show that the wave equation, with all of its first and second derivatives also applies for x’ and t’.

For example if you look at question 16 b , they ask to show that the wave equation is not invariant under Galilean transforms. What I don’t understand is in this question why are they taking the derivative of E with respect to x and t, rather than with respect to x’ and t’. We already know the wave equation takes the correct form for x and t. We want to show that it doesn’t take the correct form for x’ and t’, so then why start off taking the derivative with respect to x and t, and muck about using the chain rule rather than taking the derivative with respect to x’, and t’ (which is what you’re really interested in).

Thanks
 
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  • #2
What I am getting here is something physicists do when they write the derivatives in "operator form"

[itex](\frac{\partial}{\partial t'}- v \frac{\partial}{\partial x'})(\frac{\partial}{\partial t'}- v \frac{\partial}{\partial x'}) =[/itex]
[itex]= (\frac{\partial}{\partial t'}- v \frac{\partial}{\partial x'})^2 = [/itex]
[itex] =(\frac{{\partial}^2}{{\partial t'}^2}- 2v \frac{\partial}{\partial t'}\frac{\partial}{\partial x'} + v^2 \frac{{\partial}^2}{{\partial x'}^2})= [/itex]
[itex]=(\frac{{\partial}^2}{{\partial t'}^2}- 2v \frac{{\partial}^2}{\partial t' \partial x'} + v^2 \frac{{\partial}^2}{{\partial} x'^2})[/itex]

Does this help a bit?
 
  • #3
Why they start with x,t instead directly with x',t'?
Well... because that's one way to do it :biggrin:

It still works, and is very easy to show that when you express the second derivatives of x and t through their counterparts of x' and t', you don't really get the exact same expression. That means, its mathematical form in the "primed" frame changes ---> it is not invariant.

Hope this helps! :)
 

1. What is the purpose of the square or second derivative?

The square or second derivative is used to measure the rate of change of a function's slope. It can help determine the concavity of a curve, identify maximum and minimum points, and assist in finding points of inflection.

2. How is the square or second derivative calculated?

The square or second derivative is calculated by taking the derivative of a function twice. This means taking the derivative of the derivative. It can also be calculated by finding the limit of the difference quotient as the change in x approaches 0.

3. What is the difference between the square and second derivative?

The square derivative is the result of squaring the first derivative, while the second derivative is the result of taking the derivative of the derivative. The square derivative measures the change in slope, while the second derivative measures the change in the rate of change of the slope.

4. How do I interpret the square or second derivative?

A positive square or second derivative indicates that the function is concave up, while a negative value indicates that the function is concave down. A zero value indicates a point of inflection. The magnitude of the value also represents the rate of change of the slope.

5. What are some real-world applications of the square or second derivative?

The square or second derivative can be used in physics to analyze the motion of objects, in economics to study the rate of change of economic indicators, and in engineering to optimize designs and predict system behavior.

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