A longitudinal wave travels on a slinky or any long spring.The wave is represented by the equation x(x,t) = 2.1 cm cos(2000 rad/s t - 40 m^-1 x).What is the direction of the disturbance of the wave? A) the + y direction B) the + z direction C) the - x direction D) the + x direction

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The wave equation x(x,t) = 2.1 cm cos(2000 rad/s t - 40 m⁻¹ x) indicates a wave traveling in the +x direction because the wave number term (-40 m⁻¹ x) has a negative sign, which corresponds to a wave moving in the positive x direction.

A Longitudinal Wave Travels on a Slinky or Any Long