Physics for Scientists and Engineers: A Strategic Approach with Modern Physics (3rd Edition)

Published by Pearson
ISBN 10: 0321740904
ISBN 13: 978-0-32174-090-8

Chapter 20 - Traveling Waves - Conceptual Questions - Page 585: 8

Answer

$-\pi/2$

Work Step by Step

We know that the sinusoidal wave function, at a frozen moment, is given by $$D_{(x,t)} = A\sin(k x-\omega t + \phi)$$ where $A$ is the amplitude, $\omega=2\pi f$ where $f$ is the frequency, $\phi$ is the phase constant, $k=2\pi/\lambda$. $$D_{(x,t)} = A\sin\left(\frac{2\pi x}{\lambda}-2\pi ft + \phi\right)$$ From the given snapshot, we can see that the frequency is given by $$f=\dfrac{v}{\lambda}=\frac{1}{2}=\bf 0.5\;\rm Hz$$ where $\lambda$ is the wavelength. So, at $t=1$ s, and $x=0$, where $D=A$ $$A= A\sin\left(\frac{2\pi (0)}{\lambda}-2\pi (0.5)(1) + \phi\right) = A\sin\left( - \pi + \phi\right)$$ Thus, $$\sin\left( - \pi + \phi\right)=1$$ $$-\sin\left( \phi\right)=1$$ $$ \phi=\sin\left( -1\right)^{-1}$$ $$\boxed{\phi=-\dfrac{\pi}{2}}$$
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