 Null form for wave equations

A quadratic derivative expression is a null form when its symbol vanishes on parallel null covectors. The Lorentz contraction $Q_0(f,g)=-f_t{g}_t+\nabla f\cdot \nabla g$ is the basic example. Its cancellation suppresses interactions of derivatives pointing along the same light ray. It is the algebraic structure behind the classical null condition for wave equations.