Are there wave motions that can be described by the known simple functions, such as $sin$ or $cos$ ?

Open in App

Solution

Yes, there is an important class of wave motions called harmonic waves for which the wave function is
$y = A sin (a x - b t + ϕ)$
The set of four parameters A, $ϕ$ , a and b completely describe an harmonic wave. A is called the amplitude, $ϕ$ is the initial phase, parameters a and b are related to the wavelength and the speed of the wave or equivalently to the wavelength and frequency of the wave.

Suggest Corrections

Similar questions

y = 5 (sin 4 π t + \sqrt{3} cos 4 π t)

x = a cos t, y = a sin t

z = t

y = A sin (ω t) + B

Join BYJU'S Learning Program