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Test your function for g(x,t) here. g(x,t)=
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Consider the wave f(x,t) in the top panel of the simulation. What are its (i) amplitude, (ii) wavelength, (iii) frequency, (iv) wavenumber, and (v) speed? Please briefly explain how you arrive at your answer (what you measured, counted, etc.)
(Simulation Hints! Click the "Forward" button to run the simulation.
The controls at the bottom work like VCR controls. You can click and drag inside
the animation to read the coordinates in order to obtain numerical values
for use in your equations. A running time display is in the top left corner
of the top panel. Also note that you may want to stop the animation
in order to measure things like the wavelength.)
Hints: Remember that a traveling wave y(x,t) can be described by y(x,t) = A sin (kx + wt), where y is the amplitude of the wave, k is the wavenumber ( = 2p/wavelength), x is the position in meters, w is the angular frequency ( = 2p/period), and t is the time in seconds. The speed of the wave is just the rate at which a certain point on the wave (e.g., a point of maximum amplitude) moves along, and is given by v = wavelength/period.
Note: If you'd like a 'sneak preview' of wave superposition, click the "Enter" button next to the small text area at the bottom of the simulation. The f(x,t) function [top panel] and the g(x,t) function [middle panel, and corresponding to the equation you enter in the textarea] are added together to produce a new wave function f(x,t)+g(x,t) [bottom panel]. Also, feel free to 'play' with the parameters in the equation to get a feel for what each affects/represents.
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