The Klein-Gordon equation is \(\nabla^{2} u=\left(1 / v^{2}\right) \partial^{2} u / \partial t^{2}+\lambda^{2} u .\) This equation is of interest in quantum mechanics, but it also has a simpler application. It describes, for example, the vibration of a stretched string which is embedded in an elastic medium. Separate the one-dimensional Klein-Gordon equation and find the characteristic frequencies of such a string.

The Klein-Gordon equation originally arises in the context of quantum mechanics. In this field, it describes particles like mesons that obey relativistic mechanics rather than classical mechanics. The equation is a relativistic version of the Schrödinger equation, which you might already know describes the wave function of a quantum particle. Unlike the Schrödinger equation, which is first-order in time, the Klein-Gordon equation is second-order in time. This makes it analogous to classical wave equations, but it incorporates relativistic principles. Understanding this equation provides a bridge that connects the classical theory of vibrations and waves to the more complex theories needed for the particles moving at close to light speed. Such an understanding is crucial for higher-level studies in quantum field theory, where the Klein-Gordon equation is one of the simplest field equations you will encounter.

The Klein-Gordon equation can also describe the vibration of a string. Imagine a string that is embedded in an elastic medium. This situation is more intuitive and provides a physical example of the abstract mathematical concepts. When you pluck this string, it vibrates in patterns that depend on boundary conditions and properties of the string and medium. With the equation, you can model these vibrations and predict how the string moves over time. The equation shows how the displacement at any point on the string evolves. By solving it, you can understand the different modes of vibration, which refer to the characteristic ways the string can oscillate. These modes correspond to different frequencies, much like how a guitar string produces different notes depending on how it is plucked and where it is fretted.

To solve the Klein-Gordon equation, we used a method called separation of variables. This method involves assuming that the solution can be written as a product of functions, each depending only on one variable. For the vibration of the string, we assumed a solution of the form: \(u(x,t) = X(x)T(t)\). By substituting this form into the Klein-Gordon equation, the problem converts into two separate differential equations: one for space and one for time. This technique simplifies the original partial differential equation into simpler, ordinary differential equations. Each of these can often be solved more easily. The solutions to these simpler equations are then multiplied together to form the complete solution. Separation of variables is a powerful tool and is widely used in solving partial differential equations across physics and engineering.

By solving the separate equations in the separation of variables method, you uncover the characteristic frequencies of the vibrating system. These frequencies are intrinsic to the system and depend on properties like tension, density, and the inherent elasticity of the medium. The frequencies at which the system naturally oscillates are called its natural frequencies or eigenfrequencies. For the Klein-Gordon equation, these frequencies are given by: \(\omega = v \sqrt{k^{2} + \lambda^{2}}\). Here, \(\omega\) represents the angular frequency, \(v\) is the velocity of wave propagation, \(k\) is the wavenumber corresponding to spatial frequency, and \(\lambda\) is a constant representing the medium's property. These characteristic frequencies are crucial in understanding resonance and stability in physical systems. If an external force matches one of these frequencies, the system can resonate, leading to large amplitude oscillations. This concept is vital in designing structures and understanding phenomena like musical instruments, seismic waves, and more.