What Do Wave Number and Phase Constant Mean in Wave Equations?

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Wave number (k) indicates how many oscillations occur in a specific distance, serving as the spatial counterpart to frequency. The phase constant helps identify a specific point on the wave, influencing the wave's position over time. The equation provided, phase difference = k(deltax) - w(delta t), illustrates the relationship between wave number, position, and time. Additionally, a transverse wave can indeed travel in the negative x direction with a positive angular frequency (w) while the particle velocity remains positive. Understanding these concepts is crucial for grasping wave behavior in physics.
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Homework Statement


Could anyone explain to me what exactly the wave number (k) represents and what it means in the equation 'cause it's kind of confusing me...Also, there's also the phase constant that i don't really understand as well: phase difference= k(deltax)-w(delta t)...One last confusion, is it possible for a transverse wave to travel in the negative x direction (positive w value) while the particle velocity is positive? Thanks

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Wave number basically represents the number of times a wave oscillates in a given distance. It's the spatial equivalent of frequency (which itself is the number of times a wave oscillates in a given time).

As for the phase constant, in a sense it's a way of keeping track of a particular position on a wave. There's an image on Wikipedia that might be helpful to you.
 

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