Sinusoidal Waveforms: Answers & Solutions

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The discussion focuses on determining whether specific waveforms are sinusoidal and periodic. The user believes all the waveforms are periodic since they repeat after 2π, but is uncertain about their sinusoidal nature. A sinusoidal function must fit the general form y(t) = sin(ωt + θ), which includes time or frequency, while the user only has phase information plotted. The user seeks clarification on how to identify sinusoidal characteristics given their current data representation. The conversation emphasizes understanding the definitions of periodicity and sinusoidal functions in waveform analysis.
john50
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Homework Statement


Hi,

Could you please help me decide on these answers?
The question is " Are the following statements Sinusoidal? And are they Periodic?
I have produced the waveforms in MathCad
The limits are 0 - 4Pi

1.f(x)= sinx + 2sin(x-(Pi/6))
2.f(x)= sinx +sin2x
3.f(x)= sinx + 1/2(sin2x)
4.f(x)= sinx + 1/3(sin3x)+1/5(sin5x)
5.f(x)= sinx.cos2x
6.f(x)= sin3x.sin2x
7.f(x)= sin^23x

Homework Equations




The Attempt at a Solution



I think they are all periodic as my understanding of periodic is that the waveform repeats itself after 2pi (360 degrees) Which they all seem to do.
I am unsure about the Sinusoidal part though. I know that number 1 is but not sure about the rest! How do I tell?

I also have to work out the r.m.s value of a complex waveform, Am I right in saying that if its sinusoidal I can use Vmax/root2? If its not sinusoidal can I use this formula?

b7c9fa7b037ded01fa971f5c9f83d03b.png
 
Last edited:
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Periodic means that the function repeats the same value 'periodically', i.e. with the same period, i.e. f(t) = f(t+T) = f(t+nT) where n is an integer, and T is the period.

Integating the sin function over one period gives 0.

See - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sine_wave

A sinusoidal function certainly is one that can be put in the general form

y(t) = sin (\omega t + \theta), where \omega is the angular frequency (rad/sec) = 2\pi f, and \theta is the phase or phase shift in radians.
 
Hi,

Thanks for the reply. I get the periodic part now (Many Thanks)

However I am still somewhat confused about the Sinusoidal part. All the formulas mention Time or frequency, however I only seem to have a phase figure. (i.e) I have 0 - 4Pi plotted along the horizontal axis and Amplitude along the vertical axis in my graphs.

Am I missing something blindingly obvious?

Many Thanks
 
Question: A clock's minute hand has length 4 and its hour hand has length 3. What is the distance between the tips at the moment when it is increasing most rapidly?(Putnam Exam Question) Answer: Making assumption that both the hands moves at constant angular velocities, the answer is ## \sqrt{7} .## But don't you think this assumption is somewhat doubtful and wrong?

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