Calculating Propagation Velocity with MATLAB

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the propagation velocity of waves using MATLAB, specifically in the context of differential equations and wave plots. The original poster is seeking guidance on how to determine the wave's speed based on their simulations.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Conceptual clarification

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants suggest tracing the movement of a specific point on the wave across time intervals and discuss various formulas related to different types of waves. The original poster questions which formula is appropriate for their specific scenario involving tumor propagation.

Discussion Status

There are multiple lines of reasoning being explored, with participants offering different approaches to finding the wave speed. Some guidance has been provided regarding potential formulas and methods, but no consensus has been reached on the best approach for the original poster's specific case.

Contextual Notes

The original poster has indicated a lack of physics knowledge and is working with MATLAB simulations of traveling waves. There is a mention of needing to determine the propagation speed of a tumor along the x-axis, which may influence the choice of formula.

maths08
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heys,

sorry I didn't know where to post this hopefully I will get some responses.

well, I had a set of differential equations which I solved using MATLAB and got plots as traveling waves(t=1 to 10). basically, I need to find the velocity at which the wave is propagating and I have no idea where to start.

any hints will be much appreciated.

cheers
John
 
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If you have individual plots of this wave as functions of position at different snapshots in time, can't you trace out how far a spot in the wave (say a peak) moves in these time intervals?

P.S. welcome to the forums :smile:.
 
Heys all,

Thanks for the reply.. I have no knowledge of physics, however I looked at some notes for waves propagation and it gives it as c=w/k.

In my plots, I have the spatial axis and the wave is propagating from left to right. How do I find the propagation velocity? I will post the plot if it helps.

Any hint is really appreciated!


Many thanks
John
 
hey,

you can try to find this velocity mathemathically, what kind of wave is it? electromagnetic wave, wave propagating on a string,...?

if this is a wave on a string, the speed is given by [tex]v=\sqrt{\frac{F}{\mu}}\quad \text{where}\quad \mu = \text{lineic mass of the string and}\quad F = \text{Restoring force applied to the string}[/tex]

if the wave is an electromagnetic wave, [tex]v=\lambda f[/tex], and if the wave is a sound wave, [tex]v=\sqrt{\frac{B}{\rho_0}}, \text{where}\quad B=p_0 \gamma = p_0 . 1.4 \quad\text{(for an idealised gas), where} \quad p_0 \quad \text{is the presure of air}\quad \text{and where}\quad \rho_0\quad \text{is the volumic mass of the air}[/tex]

You can also try to find the propagating speed using matlab, you know that [tex]v=\frac{d}{t}[/tex], you can find the speed by this way.
 
cheers for the replies.


It is the speed at which the tumour is propagating along the x-axis. so, what formula should I use?
 
please someone out there help!

I have a computer simulation (using MATLAB) of traveling waves and I need to find the speed of propagation.

does anyone know the code in MATLAB to find how long does it take for the next wave to appear so that I can use c=x/t??

please help me

many thanks
 

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