Clarification on propagation directions of wave equations

[Sandbo]

I would like to ask some questions to confirm if what I have acquired so far are correct, please point out my faults if any.
If all the below statements are too bulky to read, my question is actually as short as:
\psi (x) = A{e^{-j(kx - \omega t)}}
What is the propagation direction of this wave? Positive x or negative x? Why(which terms tell this)?



Regarding the propagation direction of wave equations, to the best of my understanding, in the following wave equation:
\psi (x) = A{e^{ - j(kx - \omega t)}}, let B = j(kx - \omega t)
The direction of the wave propagation is towards the positive x direction (+ve), for the following reasons:
1. when we consider the exponential, we are actually taking only the real part of it, which is \cos (kx - \omega t).
As \cos x = \cos ( - x), therefore no matter the sign before B is + or - (i.e. \psi (x) = A{e^{j(kx - \omega t)}}{\rm{ }}or{\rm{ }}\psi (x) = A{e^{ - j(kx - \omega t)}}), the propagation direction will not change, remains as positive x direction.

However, from a lecture note I recently read, I saw something kind of contradicting to the above:
\psi (x) = A{e^{j(kx - \omega t)}}{\rm{ + }}B{e^{ - j(kx - \omega t)}}
"Consider a free particle that travels only in the positive direction of x. Let the arbitrary constant B be zero."
It seems the negative sign on the latter term told us that it's propagating towards negative x direction and that is omitted, which is not consistent with my previous understanding of wave equations.

I am sorry if I have put too much redundancy here, simply trying to make it as clearly as I can.
Thanks for reading.

 

[MisterX]

\psi (x) = A{e^{j(kx - \omega t)}}

The [phase] velocity of the wave given by the equation above is ω/k. You may notice that ω/k = (-ω)/(-k).

 

[AlephZero]

However, from a lecture note I recently read, I saw something kind of contradicting to the above:
\psi (x) = A{e^{j(kx - \omega t)}}{\rm{ + }}B{e^{ - j(kx - \omega t)}}

I think there is a typo here. The general solution is of the form f(x-ct) + g(x+ct) for arbitrary functions f and g, representing waves traveling in each directiion. Your notes should be
\psi (x) = A{e^{j(kx - \omega t)}}{\rm{ + }}B{e^{ j(kx + \omega t)}}
or something equivalent to that.

 

[Sandbo]

\psi (x) = A{e^{j(kx - \omega t)}}

The [phase] velocity of the wave given by the equation above is ω/k. You may notice that ω/k = (-ω)/(-k).

Thanks for the clarification,
from the phase velocity then it means the propagation direction is determined by the sign difference between k and \omega.

I think there is a typo here. The general solution is of the form f(x-ct) + g(x+ct) for arbitrary functions f and g, representing waves traveling in each directiion. Your notes should be
\psi (x) = A{e^{j(kx - \omega t)}}{\rm{ + }}B{e^{ j(kx + \omega t)}}
or something equivalent to that.

Also, yes I think that is a typo after reading more, thanks for pointing out

 

[Sandbo]

\psi (x) = A{e^{j(kx - \omega t)}}

The [phase] velocity of the wave given by the equation above is ω/k. You may notice that ω/k = (-ω)/(-k).

Allow me to have one follow up question,
why it should be kx-wt ending up with a relationship of v = (positive w) / (positive k)?
The sign before w is a negative sign(-).

And in the same way when we consider a wave Acos(kx+wt), we say v = k/-w and the wave propagate in -x direction.

Would you share more on where does the conclusion [(kx-wt) = positive x direction] stem from?
Thank you.

 

[Sandbo]

Allow me to have one follow up question,
why it should be kx-wt ending up with a relationship of v = (positive w) / (positive k)?
The sign before w is a negative sign(-).

And in the same way when we consider a wave Acos(kx+wt), we say v = k/-w and the wave propagate in -x direction.

Would you share more on where does the conclusion [(kx-wt) = positive x direction] stem from?
Thank you.

Trying to ans own question:
for a wave A = Ao cos(kx-wt),
in case of an increased t, from the relation (kx-wt), the particle possessing same amplitude should have been shifted to the right(in (kx-wt), x is also increased to oppose the change of t making (kx-wt) a constant to keep the amplitude).
With all particles having the same, the waveform will therefore move in +x direction.

This is phenomenal explanation I can come up with.
Please let me know in case there is a concrete mathematics deviation which I will be happier with.