Overview of Wave Variable Choices

We have thus far considered only transverse displacement waves. We can also choose

• Transverse velocity $v\mathrel{\stackrel{\mathrm{\Delta}}{=}}{\dot y}$
• Transverse acceleration $a\mathrel{\stackrel{\mathrm{\Delta}}{=}}{\ddot y}$
• Slope waves $y'$
• Curvature waves $y''$ ( $= c^2{\ddot y}$ for ideal string)
• Any number of derivatives or integrals of displacement $y$ with respect to time or position
• Conversion between time derivatives carried out by integrators and differentiators