How Can I Derive This Wave Equation?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around deriving a specific wave equation related to the components of a wave expressed in terms of cosine functions. The original poster presents a wave equation and a claim from a textbook that they are struggling to derive.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to manipulate the given wave equation and relate the components to derive the expression provided by the textbook. They express confusion about their derivation process and seek assistance.

Discussion Status

Some participants offer guidance by suggesting alternative approaches to the problem, including expanding a trigonometric identity and using geometric interpretations. The original poster acknowledges the suggestions and indicates they will attempt the proposed methods.

Contextual Notes

The original poster references additional questions they have posted elsewhere, indicating a broader context of inquiry within their studies. There is a suggestion of complexity in the problem that may not be immediately obvious.

yungman
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Given a wave:
e(t)=\hat x E_{x0}\cos \omega t+\hat y E_{y0}\cos( \omega t+ \delta)(1)
The book claimed:
\sin^2\delta\;=\; \left[\frac {e_x(t)}{E_{x0}}\right]^2-2\left[\frac {e_x(t)}{E_{x0}}\right]\left[\frac {e_y(t)}{E_{y0}}\right]\cos\delta+ \left[\frac {e_y(t)}{E_{y0}}\right]^2
I can not get this. Below is my work.

From (1)
e_x(t)=E_{x0}\cos\omega t\;\Rightarrow \;\cos \omega t=\frac{e_x(t)}{E_{x0}}
\Rightarrow\; \sin\omega t\;=\;\sqrt{1-\left(\frac{e_x(t)}{E_{x0}}\right)^2}
e_y(t)=E_{y0}\cos(\omega t+\delta) \;\Rightarrow \;\frac{e_y(t)}{E_{y0}}\;=\;\cos\omega t \cos\delta-\sin\omega t sin\delta\;=\; \frac{e_x(t)}{E_{x0}}\cos\delta-\sqrt{1-\left(\frac{e_x(t)}{E_{x0}}\right)^2}sin\delta
\Rightarrow\;\sqrt{1-\left(\frac{e_x(t)}{E_{x0}}\right)^2}sin\delta \;=\; \frac{e_x(t)}{E_{x0}}\cos\delta-\frac{e_y(t)}{E_{y0}}
\Rightarrow\;\left(1-(\frac{e_x(t)}{E_{x0}})^2\right) sin^2\delta \;=\;\left[\frac{e_x(t)}{E_{x0}}\right]^2 \cos^2\delta-2\frac{e_x(t)}{E_{x0}}\frac{e_y(t)}{E_{y0}}\cos \delta + \left[\frac{e_y(t)}{E_{y0}}\right]^2
It is obvious that I am not going to get what the book gave:
\sin^2\delta\;=\; \left[\frac {e_x(t)}{E_{x0}}\right]^2-2\left[\frac {e_x(t)}{E_{x0}}\right]\left[\frac {e_y(t)}{E_{y0}}\right]\cos\delta+ \left[\frac {e_y(t)}{E_{y0}}\right]^2

Please help my derivation.

Thanks
 
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hi yungman! :smile:

(i can't see where you've gone wrong, but try it this way …)

you are essentially asked to prove that cos2A + cos2B - 2cosAcosBcos(A-B) = sin2(A-B)

just expand that! :wink:

when you've done that, try drawing the diameter PQ of a unit circle, with two points A and B such that angleAPD = A, angle BPD = B, and using simple geometry to prove that AB = sin(A-B)
 
Thanks Tiny Tim, I'll try it and see.

You think you can look at the other questions I posted in page 3 of the "Classical Physics" on Balanis a few days ago, I have no luck at all.

Many thanks
 
Last edited:
Thanks Tiny Tim. I worked out using A=\omega t +\delta\;\hbox{ and }\; B=\omega t. This is a little tricky and unobvious.
 

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