Chapter 12: Problem 6
In a wave motion \(y=a \sin (k x-\omega t), y\) can represents (a) Electric Field (b) magnetic field (c) Displacement (d) Pressure
Short Answer
Expert verified
(c) Displacement
Step by step solution
01
Understanding wave motion
In a wave motion, the wave equation \(y=a \sin (k x-\omega t)\) represents a sinusoidal wave. Here, 'y' typically represents the disturbance or variation from a fixed point caused by the wave at any given point of time.
02
Analysing the options
Let's analyze each option individually: (a) Electric Field: In electromagnetic waves, the electric field varies sinusoidally, but the equation for this variation is not typically presented as \(y=a \sin (k x-\omega t)\). (b) Magnetic Field: Similar to the electric field, this refers to electromagnetic waves, but again, its equation of variation is not as given. (c) Displacement: In mechanical waves such as sound waves or waves on a string, 'y' often refers to the displacement of particles from their equilibrium positions. The given equation fits this case. (d) Pressure: In a sound wave, pressure variations follow a sinusoidal pattern, but are often not represented with the given equation.
03
Conclusion
Through our analysis, it is seen that 'y' in the wave equation \(y=a \sin (k x-\omega t)\) closely matches the Displacement in a wave motion, where ‘y’ can be the displacement of particles from their equilibrium positions when the wave passes through.
Unlock Step-by-Step Solutions & Ace Your Exams!
-
Full Textbook Solutions
Get detailed explanations and key concepts
-
Unlimited Al creation
Al flashcards, explanations, exams and more...
-
Ads-free access
To over 500 millions flashcards
-
Money-back guarantee
We refund you if you fail your exam.
Over 30 million students worldwide already upgrade their learning with 91Ó°ÊÓ!
Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Wave Equation
The wave equation is a fundamental concept used to describe the behavior of waves in various mediums. It is typically expressed as:\[ y = a \sin(kx - \omega t) \]where:
- \(y\) is the wave function representing the displacement at a point \(x\) and time \(t\).
- \(a\) is the amplitude, which measures the maximum strength or height of the wave.
- \(k\) is the wave number, defining the number of wave cycles per unit distance.
- \(\omega\) is the angular frequency, indicating how many oscillations occur per unit time.
Sinusoidal Wave
A sinusoidal wave is a type of smooth periodic oscillation that is mathematically described by a sine or cosine function. This kind of wave is perfect for modeling physical wave situations because of its well-understood and predictable properties.
- Its repeating pattern is caused by the nature of the sine function, which is continuous and symmetric.
- The amplitude determines the wave's height, contributing to the energy it carries.
- Sinusoidal waves are common in nature, seen in sound waves, light waves, and even in electrical signals.
Mechanical Waves
Mechanical waves are disturbances that require a medium to travel through, such as solids, liquids, or gases. Unlike electromagnetic waves, they cannot propagate through a vacuum. Common types of mechanical waves include:
- Sound waves: compressional waves traveling through air or other media.
- Water waves: disturbances moving across the surface of a water body.
- Seismic waves: waves generated by geological activities like earthquakes.
Displacement in Waves
Displacement in waves relates to how much a particle of the medium moves from its rest position as a wave passes through. In the context of the wave equation:\[ y = a \sin(kx - \omega t) \]\(y\) represents the displacement of particles. Here's what this means for wave motion:
- Displacement is typically maximum at the wave crest or trough and zero as it passes through the equilibrium point.
- In mechanical waves like those on a string, displacement can be viewed as the vertical movement of the string segments.
- Understanding displacement helps in visualizing the wave shape and predicting how the wave behaves when traveling through different media.