In the study of waves, understanding the displacement relation in a progressive wave is vital to grasping how these waves propagate through a medium. This section begins by describing a sinusoidal traveling wave mathematically using the function y(x, t) = a sin(kx - ωt + φ), where 'y' represents displacement, 'x' position, 't' time, 'a' amplitude, 'k' angular wave number, 'ω' angular frequency, and 'φ' phase constant.
The equation illustrates how the wave's shape changes over time and space while maintaining its sinusoidal nature. By setting φ to zero, we simplify our understanding, making the wave's mathematical analysis more manageable. We delve into the concepts of amplitude – the maximum displacement from equilibrium – and phase, which determines the position of the wave at any point.
Moreover, we define wavelength as the distance between two consecutive points in phase, and relate the angular frequency and wave characteristics to their respective equations, including T (period), frequency, and speed of the wave. This mathematical framework provides crucial foundations for further exploration of wave behavior, including transmission, interference, and harmonic patterns.