Question

Consider a traveling wave described by the formula

y1(x,t) = A sin(k x - wt).

This function might represent the lateral displacement of a string, a local electric field, the position of the surface of a body of water, or any of a number of other physical manifestations of waves.

Part A
Which one of the following statements about the wave described in the problem introduction is correct?

(A) The wave is traveling in the +x direction.
(B) The wave is traveling in the -x direction.
(C) The wave is oscillating but not traveling.
(D)The wave is traveling but not

Answer 1

The wave is traveling in the +x direction.

Step-by-step explanation:

The equation of a wave is given by the formula as :

`y(x,t)=A\ sin(kx-\omega t)`

Here,

A is the amplitude of wave

`(kx-\omega t)` is the phase of wave

`\omega` is the angular frequency of the wave

We need to find the correct statement out of given options. The given equation can be rewritten as :

`y(x,t)=A\ sin(\omega t-kx)`

Here, the propagation constant is negative. So, the wave is moving in +x direction. Hence, the correct option is (a).