In mathematics and physics, a solitary wave can refer to
- The solitary wave (water waves) or wave of translation, as observed by John Scott Russell in 1834, the prototype for a soliton.
- A soliton, a generalization of the wave of translation to general systems of partial differential equations
- A topological defect, a generalization of the idea of a soliton to any system which is stable against decay due to homotopy theory
Famous quotes containing the words solitary and/or wave:
“But ‘twas beyond a mortal’s share
To wander solitary there:
Two Paradises ‘twere in one,
To live in Paradise alone.”
—Andrew Marvell (1621–1678)
“The wave of evil washes all our institutions alike.”
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882)