How do i know what a function describe a wave?

AI Thread Summary
The discussion focuses on determining whether the functions y(x,t) = x² + v²t² and g(x,t) = 2Acos(kx)cos(wt) satisfy the differential equation for a one-dimensional wave. The derivatives of these functions are calculated, showing that d²y/dt² = 2v² and d²y/dx² = 2, while for g(x,t), d²g/dt² = -2Aw²cos(kx)cos(wt) and d²g/dx² = -2Ak²cos(kx)cos(wt). The comparison indicates that both functions can be classified as wave functions if they meet the wave equation criteria. It is confirmed that a constant wave can indeed be expressed as a function of x - vt. Therefore, the functions are valid representations of waves.
Darly
Messages
3
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement


Show that the funtions y(x,t) and g(x,t) satisfy the differential equation of a wave unimensional. What function is a wave?

Homework Equations


y(x,t)=x² +v²t² ; d(x,t)= 2Acos(kx)cos(wt)

frac{d²y}{dt²}=2v²

frac{d²y}{dx²}=2

The Attempt at a Solution



frac{d²y}{dt²}=2v²

frac{d²y}{dx²}=2

frac{d²g}{dt²}= -2Aw²cos(kx)cos(wt)
frac{d²g}{dx²}= -2Ak²cos(kx)cos(wt)

Comparing the two functions with the wave equations with y(x,t) and g(x,t) satisfy the equation differential of wave, if all is correct, can i say that the functions are waves. ?
 
Last edited:
Physics news on Phys.org
Darly said:
if all is correct, can i say that the functions are waves. ?
Yes.
 
A constant wave can be written as a function of x-vt.
 
Kindly see the attached pdf. My attempt to solve it, is in it. I'm wondering if my solution is right. My idea is this: At any point of time, the ball may be assumed to be at an incline which is at an angle of θ(kindly see both the pics in the pdf file). The value of θ will continuously change and so will the value of friction. I'm not able to figure out, why my solution is wrong, if it is wrong .
TL;DR Summary: I came across this question from a Sri Lankan A-level textbook. Question - An ice cube with a length of 10 cm is immersed in water at 0 °C. An observer observes the ice cube from the water, and it seems to be 7.75 cm long. If the refractive index of water is 4/3, find the height of the ice cube immersed in the water. I could not understand how the apparent height of the ice cube in the water depends on the height of the ice cube immersed in the water. Does anyone have an...
Back
Top