A New Fundamental Asymmetric Wave Equation and Its Application to Acoustic Wave Propagation

Abstract

The irreducible representations of the extended Galilean group are used to derive the symmetric and asymmetric wave equations. It is shown that among these equations only a new asymmetric wave equation is fundamental. By being fundamental the equation gives the most complete description of propagating waves as it accounts for the Doppler effect, forward and backward waves, and makes the wave speed to be the same in all inertial frames. To demonstrate these properties, the equation is applied to acoustic wave propagation in an isothermal atmosphere, and to determine Lamb’s cutoff frequency.