Teaching Physics with the Physics Suite

Edward F. Redish

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Interpreting an oscillatory equation

Consider the equation

y(x, t) =A cos(at) sin(bx)

Let x represent some position and t represent time.

  1. Describe a physical situation represented by this equation. As part of your description include a sketch and a written description. Indicate what y and x correspond to in the situation you describe.
  2. How, if at all, would the physical situation you described in part A be different if a were twice as large? Explain how you determined your answer.
  3. How, if at all, would the physical situation you described in part A be different if b were twice as large? Explain how you determined your answer.

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Page last modified October 31, 2002: O31