How do I plot ψ(x,t) as a function of x at time t=a/v?

AI Thread Summary
To plot the wave function ψ(x,t) at time t=a/v, the initial conditions dictate that ψ(x,0) = 0 for all x, and ∂ψ/∂t(x,0) equals v for -a≤x≤a. The wave equation simplifies to ψ(x,t) = (1/2v) ∫(x-vt)^(x+vt) ∂ψ/∂t(x,0) dx, leading to the integral of v over the specified limits. The main challenge is determining the correct limits for integration, specifically whether to substitute x=a or x=-a, or to consider t=0. Understanding how the function behaves at t=a/v is crucial, as it will reveal the shape of the graph within the interval [-a,a].
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Homework Statement


A 1D wave function ψ(x,t) satisfies these initial conditions:
ψ(x,0) = 0 for all x

∂ψ/∂t (x,0) is v for -a≤x≤a
0 otherwise
Plot ψ(x,t) as a function of x at time t=a/v.

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution


I know the 1D wave equation is given by d'Alembert's:
##\psi(x,t) = 0.5[\psi(x+vt,0) + \psi(x-vt,0)] + \frac{1}{2v} \int_{x-vt}^{x+vt} \frac{\partial \psi}{\partial t}(x,0) \mathrm dx##

But for this function because ψ(x, 0) = 0 for all x, that simplifies to
##\psi(x,t) = \frac{1}{2v} \int_{x-vt}^{x+vt} \frac{\partial \psi}{\partial t}(x,0) \mathrm dx##

I wanted to sketch ψ(x,t) first but I'm not sure how to evaluate the integral. For -a≤x≤a,
##\frac{\partial \psi}{\partial t}(x,0)## = v,
But do I still integrate between x+vt and x-vt? Do I sub x=a or x=-a into the limits, or maybe t=0? I;m fairly sure you just integrate v between x+vt and x-vt (w.r.t x).

Then I have to plot the graph at t=a/v. And I'm not given what
##\frac{\partial \psi}{\partial t}(x,\frac{a}{v})## is, and there's no easy relationship I can spot between the two graphs in terms of for example ψ(x,0) is ψ(x, a/v) translated or rotated etc.

In fact, I can't see how it being t=a/v instead of t=0 would affect the graph at all!
 
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When you do the integral, you will have a function ##\psi(x,t)## which is of x and t and is valid in [-a,a].
Then you can find what that function is for any particular time t ... which will be a function of x alone.
 
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