Traveling waves - equation

  • Thread starter Poetria
  • Start date
  • Tags
    Waves
In summary, the conversation discusses the relationship between the first partial derivatives of a function, with one being a function of time and the other being a function of position. The initial reasoning was that the relationship between the two is equal to the negative of the velocity multiplied by the first derivative of the function with respect to position. However, it is suggested that the question may have been asking for the relationship between the second partial derivatives, which appear in the wave equation. The speaker agrees to try and solve the problem with this understanding.
  • #1
Poetria
267
42
Homework Statement
The traveling wave:
f(x,t) = sin(x-v*t)
It's the question about the relationship between ##f_x## and ##f_t##
Relevant Equations
My reasoning was:

$$f_x=cos(x-v*t)$$
$$f_t=-v*cos(x-v*t)$$

so the relation between the two is:

##f_t=-v*f_x##

Why is this wrong?
My reasoning was:

$$f_x=cos(x-v*t)$$
$$f_t=-v*cos(x-v*t)$$

so the relation between the two is:

##f_t=-v*f_x##

Why is this wrong?
 
  • Like
Likes Delta2
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #2
Why do you think it's wrong?
 
  • Like
Likes Delta2 and Poetria
  • #3
It's an automatic grader. :) I don't have a teacher.
 
  • #4
Maybe the question asks for the relationship between the second partial derivatives ##f_{xx},f_{tt}## cause those do appear in what we call the "wave-equation".
 
  • Like
Likes Poetria
  • #5
Delta2 said:
Maybe the question asks for the relationship between the second partial derivatives ##f_{xx},f_{tt}## cause those do appear in what we call the "wave-equation".
You may be right, I will try. An excellent idea. :)
 
  • Like
Likes Delta2
  • #6
What was the question exactly as it was worded?
 

1. What is the equation for traveling waves?

The equation for traveling waves is y(x, t) = A sin(kx - ωt), where A is the amplitude, k is the wave number, x is the position, t is the time, and ω is the angular frequency.

2. What do the variables in the equation represent?

The variable A represents the maximum displacement of the wave, k represents the number of cycles per unit distance, x represents the position along the wave, t represents the time, and ω represents the rate of change of the wave's phase.

3. How is the speed of a traveling wave related to its frequency and wavelength?

The speed of a traveling wave is equal to the product of its frequency and wavelength, represented by the equation v = fλ. This means that as the frequency increases, the wavelength decreases and vice versa.

4. What is the difference between a transverse and longitudinal traveling wave?

A transverse traveling wave is one in which the particles of the medium oscillate perpendicular to the direction of wave propagation, while a longitudinal traveling wave is one in which the particles oscillate parallel to the direction of wave propagation.

5. How do traveling waves transfer energy?

Traveling waves transfer energy by causing particles in the medium to oscillate, which in turn transfers energy to neighboring particles. This process continues as the wave propagates through the medium, transferring energy from particle to particle.

Similar threads

Replies
8
Views
1K
  • Classical Physics
Replies
4
Views
985
  • Calculus and Beyond Homework Help
Replies
8
Views
1K
  • Calculus and Beyond Homework Help
Replies
6
Views
1K
  • Calculus and Beyond Homework Help
Replies
1
Views
215
  • Calculus and Beyond Homework Help
Replies
8
Views
1K
Replies
19
Views
1K
  • Calculus and Beyond Homework Help
Replies
5
Views
267
  • Calculus and Beyond Homework Help
Replies
24
Views
795
  • Calculus and Beyond Homework Help
Replies
5
Views
525
Back
Top