Defining a Wave with Amplitude 'A' and Velocity 'v

In summary, the conversation discusses a wave with a given amplitude and velocity, where the amplitude at x=0 increases to a certain value and remains constant over time. The wave is represented by discrete points and it is questioned if there is a continuous function to describe it. A possible equation for this wave is y=A*f(x-v*t), where v is the velocity and f(x) is a step function.
  • #1
Rustydorm
2
0
Hi

I have a case where a wave with an amplitute 'A' progresses with a particular velocity 'v'. The wave is such that the amplitude at x=0 increases to particular value and stays there for the entire time

some thing like below.


at time(t)=0
x(position) = 0,0.1,0.2,0.3,0.4,0.5,0.6,0.7,0.8,0.9,1
y(Amplitude) =1,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0

at t=1
x= 0,0.1,0.2,0.3,0.4,0.5,0.6,0.7,0.8,0.9,1
y=1,1,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0

at t=2
x= 0,0.1,0.2,0.3,0.4,0.5,0.6,0.7,0.8,0.9,1
y=1,1,1,0,0,0,0,0,0,0

at t=3
x= 0,0.1,0.2,0.3,0.4,0.5,0.6,0.7,0.8,0.9,1
y=1,1,1,1,0,0,0,0,0,0

and so on...until for all of x values, y = 1

This is for discrete points. Is there any continuous function for this kind of wave?

Can you define this wave using a equation or a mathematical function? How do you call this wave? Anyone kindly help me with it. I am expecting a function with variables such as y= f(A,v,x,t).

Thanks :)
 
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  • #2
Unless the ramp-up for the wave is much faster than the wave velocity (which means your spatial sampling is insufficient), then this is going to be a discontinuous wave. Just looks like a propagating step function to me.
 
  • #3
Thanks Born2bwire. If the ramp up is almost instantaneous, then just the front of the wave will be moving at a particular velocity. At a particular x, at one discrete time y=0 and the next discrete time y=1

If it helps, I have attached a graph of the progressing wave.
 

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  • #4
Under those conditions then you will have a discontinuous function, the step function. For your case we can simply define it as

f(x) = 1 if x<= 0; 0 else

So then the wave equation would be y=A*f(x-v*t), where the velocity v here is .1 units of distance per units of time.

If you require a continuous function though, we would have to reformulate f(x-v*t) to be a function with a continuous, but fast ramp up.
 

FAQ: Defining a Wave with Amplitude 'A' and Velocity 'v

1. What is the definition of amplitude in a wave?

Amplitude is the maximum displacement of a particle in a medium from its rest position when a wave passes through it. It is measured in units of distance, such as meters or centimeters.

2. How is amplitude related to the energy of a wave?

The amplitude of a wave is directly proportional to the energy it carries. This means that a wave with a larger amplitude will have more energy than a wave with a smaller amplitude.

3. Can the amplitude of a wave change?

Yes, the amplitude of a wave can change as it travels through a medium. This can be due to factors such as interference, diffraction, or absorption of energy by the medium.

4. What is the relationship between amplitude and wavelength?

Amplitude and wavelength are inversely proportional to each other. This means that as the wavelength of a wave increases, its amplitude decreases and vice versa.

5. How does the velocity of a wave affect its amplitude?

The velocity of a wave does not affect its amplitude. Amplitude is only dependent on the energy of the wave and the characteristics of the medium it is traveling through. However, the velocity of a wave does affect its frequency and wavelength.

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