Wave mechanics: Difference between revisions
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So if given the amplitude, wavelength and frequency of a particle that was behaving in a sine fashion, its position could be calculated at a particular time on the t axis using this equation. It would also give the particle position as a function of time at a particular distance on the x axis. Both plots y vs. x and y vs. t would be sine plots. | So if given the amplitude, wavelength and frequency of a particle that was behaving in a sine fashion, its position could be calculated at a particular time on the t axis using this equation. It would also give the particle position as a function of time at a particular distance on the x axis. Both plots y vs. x and y vs. t would be sine plots. | ||
==Partial Derivatives of basic wave equation== | |||
∂y/∂x = Akcos(kx-ωt) | |||
∂y/∂t = -Aωcos(kx-ωt) | |||
Revision as of 12:24, 5 May 2020
Introduction
Basic Equation
The basic equation of wave mechanics is a function that describes the position of a particle as a function of time and displacement, where the function is wavelike, such as sine or cosine:
y(x,t) = Ψ = Asin(kx - ωt)
A = amplitude
k = 2π/λ where λ = wavelength
w = 2πf = 2π/T where T = period
So if given the amplitude, wavelength and frequency of a particle that was behaving in a sine fashion, its position could be calculated at a particular time on the t axis using this equation. It would also give the particle position as a function of time at a particular distance on the x axis. Both plots y vs. x and y vs. t would be sine plots.
Partial Derivatives of basic wave equation
∂y/∂x = Akcos(kx-ωt)
∂y/∂t = -Aωcos(kx-ωt)