Displacement of a point on a progressive wave

Thread starter jack edison
Start date May 30, 2015
Tags

Displacement Point Wave

In summary, the displacement of a point on a progressive wave refers to the distance from the equilibrium position to its current position on the wave. It is typically measured in units of distance and can be affected by factors such as amplitude, frequency, and properties of the medium. The displacement changes over time as the wave travels, and it can be positive, negative, or zero depending on the position of the point on the wave.

May 30, 2015

jack edison

Homework Statement

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution

I wrote that Y will have a negative displacement, before returning to equilibrium. Why is Y's displacement positive instead?

Physics news on Phys.org

May 30, 2015

theodoros.mihos

This wave traveling to "+" or right direction so the wave function is: ## \Psi(x,k) = A\sin(\omega{t} - kx) ##.
Simpler, imagine the wave curve traveling to the right.

Related to Displacement of a point on a progressive wave

1. What is the displacement of a point on a progressive wave?

The displacement of a point on a progressive wave refers to the distance from the equilibrium position of the point to its current position on the wave. It can be described as the amount of displacement from the rest position of the medium the wave is traveling through.

2. How is the displacement of a point on a progressive wave measured?

The displacement of a point on a progressive wave is typically measured in units of distance, such as meters or centimeters. It can be measured using a ruler or other measuring device to determine the distance from the equilibrium position to the current position of the point on the wave.

3. What factors affect the displacement of a point on a progressive wave?

The displacement of a point on a progressive wave can be affected by several factors, including the amplitude of the wave, the frequency of the wave, and the properties of the medium through which the wave is traveling. The direction and speed of the wave also play a role in determining the displacement of a point on the wave.

4. How does the displacement of a point on a progressive wave change over time?

The displacement of a point on a progressive wave changes over time as the wave travels through the medium. As the wave progresses, the point on the wave will move up and down or back and forth in a periodic motion, resulting in a changing displacement from the equilibrium position.

5. Can the displacement of a point on a progressive wave be negative?

Yes, the displacement of a point on a progressive wave can be negative. This means that the point on the wave is located below the equilibrium position. The displacement can be positive, negative, or zero depending on the position of the point on the wave relative to the equilibrium position.