Adding two sinusoidal waves of same frequency but out of phase

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the mathematical manipulation of two sinusoidal waves with the same frequency but differing phases. Participants are exploring how to express the sum of these waves in a simplified form using trigonometric identities.

Discussion Character

  • Mathematical reasoning, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants are attempting to derive a general form for the sum of two sinusoidal functions using trigonometric identities. Questions are raised about the mathematical derivation of the expressions and the relationships between coefficients.

Discussion Status

Some participants have provided detailed mathematical expansions and identities, while others are seeking clarification on the derivation process. There is an ongoing exploration of the relationships between the coefficients and the resulting expressions.

Contextual Notes

There is a focus on the use of trigonometric identities and the orthogonality of sine and cosine functions. Participants are also considering the implications of phase differences in the context of wave addition.

souky101
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Homework Statement
Adding two sinusoidal waves of same frequency but out of phase - Does the resultant wave form still pure sinusoidal with same frequency?
Relevant Equations
Asin(wt) + Bsin(wt+a)
Asin(wt)}+Bsin(wt+a)
Asin(wt) +B sin(wt)cos(a) +Bcos(wt)sin(a)
Asin(wt) + ksin(wt) + Lcos( wt)
(A+K) sin(wt) + Lcos(wt)
Fsin(wt) + Lcos(wt)
 
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It can be deduced to the form of
C\sin(\omega t+\phi)
 
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Thanks for your reply
But how you can drive it mathematically
.
 
You started out OK. It's mostly based on the trig identity you used ##sin(a+b)=sin(a)cos(b) + cos(a)sin(b)##
So:

##Asin(\omega t) + B sin(\omega t + \phi) =##
##Asin(\omega t)+B(sin(\omega t)cos(\phi)+cos(\omega t)sin(\phi)) =##
##(A+Bcos(\phi))sin(\omega t)+Bsin(\phi)cos(\omega t) \equiv Csin(\omega t)+Dcos(\omega t) ##
where ##C \equiv A+Bcos(\phi)## and ##D \equiv Bsin(\phi)##
since sin(x) and cos(x) are orthogonal, we can used Pythagoras to simplify to
##Asin(\omega t) + B sin(\omega t + \phi) = \sqrt{C^2+D^2}sin(\omega t + \theta)##
where ##\theta = tan^{-1}(\frac{D}{C})##

The last bit comes from working that original identity in reverse:
Assume the answer has the form ##Csin(\omega t)+Dcos(\omega t) \equiv Esin(\omega t + \theta)##
Then ##Esin(\omega t + \theta) = E cos(\theta)sin(\omega t)+Esin(\theta)cos(\omega t)## from the identity.
This means ##C \equiv Ecos(\theta)## and ##D \equiv Esin(\theta)##
Then note that ## C^2+D^2=E^2cos^2(\theta)+E^2sin^2(\theta)= E^2## so ##E=\sqrt{C^2+D^2}##
Also ##\frac{D}{C} = \frac{Esin(\theta)}{Ecos(\theta)} = tan{\theta}##
 
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souky101 said:
But how you can drive it mathematically
Let us equate them as
F \sin \omega t + L \cos\omega t = C \sin (\omega t + \phi)
Expanding RHS you see
F=C \cos \phi, L=C\sin \phi
 
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