Characteristics of traveling waves

[Shackleford]

I'm really rusty on waves. What characteristics am I looking for? With respect to its variables, doesn't a valid wave equation have to contain only linear terms in its argument(s)?

http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n149/camarolt4z28/IMG_20111009_211512.jpg?t=

 

[ehild]

I'm really rusty on waves. What characteristics am I looking for? With respect to its variables, doesn't a valid wave equation have to contain only linear terms in its argument(s)?

Yes, a wave has the form f(ax-bt).

ehild

 

[Shackleford]

Yes, a wave has the form f(ax-bt).

ehild

Yes, I know that.

It appears (d) is valid, but what about (a), (b), and (c)? I guess I'm not sure what the squares do. Of course, I recognize the form of the equation without the squares.

 

[SammyS]

Having (ax±bt)² shouldn't matter. The squaring can be considered to be part of function, f .

 

[Shackleford]

Having (ax±bt)² shouldn't matter. The squaring can be considered to be part of function, f .

Same goes for cos², too?

 

[SammyS]

Same goes for cos², too?

Yes.

 

[Shackleford]

What about (b)? It has az² - bt².

 

[ehild]

If it is a traveling wave, in what direction does it travel? +z or -z?

ehild