Equations of Wave Motion

Mathematically, the motion of a wave can be studied using a wavefunction. Consider a string oscillating up and down in simple harmonic motion, having a period T. The wave on the string is sinusoidal and is translated in the positive x-direction as time progresses. Sine is a function of the angle θ, oscillating between ...

Waves can be described by the motion and position of the particles of the medium through which they move.

If we graph the vertical height of the wave to its position, we see that every particle in the medium oscillates up and down in a simple harmonic motion with the same frequency.

The equilibrium position of the wave is along a s...