A wave is represented by $y=A\sin(\omega t+kx)$. What does this imply?
AThe wave travels in the $+x$ direction
BThe wave travels in the $-x$ direction
CThe wave is necessarily longitudinal
DThe displacement is independent of time
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: B. The wave travels in the $-x$ direction
A wave of the form $y=A\sin(\omega t+kx)$ moves in the $-x$ direction. This is because keeping phase constant, $\omega t+kx=\text{constant}$ gives $x$ decreasing as $t$ increases.
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