How do Galilean transforms affect wave equations?

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the application of Galilean transformations to wave equations, specifically addressing the derivation of second derivatives with respect to time and space. Participants clarify that to demonstrate the non-invariance of a wave equation under Galilean transformations, one must show that the equation does not retain its form when expressed in primed coordinates (x', t'). The use of the chain rule is emphasized, and the mathematical manipulation of derivatives is discussed, particularly in operator form. Ultimately, it is established that the wave equation's structure changes under these transformations, confirming its non-invariance.

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  • Understanding of wave equations and their derivatives
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  • Knowledge of the chain rule in calculus
  • Experience with operator notation in differential equations
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mrmojorizing
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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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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?
 
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! :)
 

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