Final answer:
The question is about characterizing a transverse wave described by a specific wave equation, focusing on its amplitude, wavelength, and period, which correspond to the physical displacement, spatial repetition, and temporal repetition of the wave, respectively.
Step-by-step explanation:
A student has asked about the wave described by the equation y(x,t)=bcos[2π(x/l-t/τ)], where b represents the amplitude, l represents the wavelength, and τ represents the period of the wave. Specifically, the wave has an amplitude (b) of 6.90 mm, a wavelength (l) of 30.0 cm, and a period (τ) of 3.80×10⁻² s.
To characterize this wave, we analyze its defining parameters. The amplitude is the maximum displacement of the wave from the equilibrium position. In this case, it is 6.90 mm. The wavelength (l) is the distance over which the wave's shape repeats, which is 30.0 cm for this wave. The period (τ) is the time it takes for two successive wave crests to pass by a point, here it is 3.80×10⁻² s. The frequency of the wave can be found by taking the inverse of the period. Knowing these parameters helps in understanding the propagation and interaction of the wave with its environment.