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The mathematical expression for a wave is given as: y(x,t)=5 cos(0.183x+6280t) Which direction is the traveling in?

A. Left
B. Right
C. Up
D. Down

User Robin Wang
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1 Answer

1 vote

Final answer:

For the wave equation y(x,t)=5 cos(0.183x+6280t), the wave is traveling to the left, as indicated by the positive sign in the argument of the cosine function, which specifies movement in the negative x-direction. The correct option is A.

Step-by-step explanation:

The mathematical expression for a wave given as y(x,t)=5 cos(0.183x+6280t) indicates the direction in which the wave is traveling.

In general, a wave equation of the form A sin(kx - ωt) or A cos(kx - ωt) represents a wave moving in the positive x-direction, while a wave equation of the form A sin(kx + ωt) or A cos(kx + ωt) represents a wave moving in the negative x-direction, which is to the left.

Therefore, for the wave equation y(x,t)=5 cos(0.183x+6280t), the wave is traveling to the left because the argument of the cosine function is of the form (kx + ωt), indicating a negative x-direction motion. Option A. is the correct one.

User Vitali Mogilevsky
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