Answer to Question #153744 in Mechanics | Relativity for Afraid

Question

The function f(x - vot) represent which of the following?

A. A stationary wave

B. A wave motion in forward direction

C. A wave motion in reverse direction

D. None of the above

Answer 1

B. A wave motion in forward direction

f(x - vot) represents in +ve direction while f(x + vot) represents a progressive wave in -ve direction.

To displace any function f(x) to the right hand side, changes are made to x that is a displacement from x to x-x0, where x0 is a positive number. If we let x0 = v t, where v is positive and t is time, then the displacement increases with increasing time. So f(x-vt) represents a rightward, or forward, propagating wave.