Definition talk:Wave Equation

Comment on nomenclature

I am a physicist by training, and from my experience the "wave equation" is usually reserved for what here is called "equation of wave motion". On the other hand, "Schrödinger Wave Equation" is almost always called simply as the "Schrödinger Equation". One actually has to work a bit with "Schrödinger Equation" to make it look like a "Wave equation", because a superficial inspection suggests that it is actually a diffusion equation. Only by playing with real and imaginary parts something like a "wave equation" can be recovered. Moreover, there are not that many equations carrying solely his name, and the "wave" is not really a wave, but a wavefunction, so I do not see a reason adding "wave" to "Schrödinger Equation". Of course, if there are books calling the longer name, we can always mention that in "Also known as" section.--Julius (talk) 11:05, 21 February 2023 (UTC)

Yes, good call. I've just checked all my sources and none of them call it "Schrödinger's wave equation", it's always "Schrödinger's Equation". I've been calling it the former from since I first studied QM. Can't imagine where I got it from. I'll do another refactoring, and put this page back to "Wave Equation". I will of course attend to the task of updating all the links. --prime mover (talk) 11:23, 21 February 2023 (UTC)

Job done. This talk page can be deleted in due course. --prime mover (talk) 11:54, 21 February 2023 (UTC)