1

I know that $y=A\sin(\omega t-kx)$, but this can also be written as $y=A\sin \omega (t-x/v)$. What I don't understand is what the quantity $(t-x/v)$ represents. Both quantities have the units of time, but which time in space each quantity represents is what is confusing me.

Energy
  • 58

1 Answers1

0

The quantity $(t-x/v)$ does appear in electromagnetic and quantum field theory (and elsewhere), bearing the name 'retarded time', where $v$ is the speed of light. However, I would say that $A\sin(\omega t-kx)$ is the 'most meaningful' form of the wave, and without specific context, that quantity is very uninterpretable.

Trebor
  • 537