Formula:
The harmonic wave equation describes the displacement y(x,t) of a wave at a given position x and time t. The general form is:
y(x,t) = A sin(kx - ωt + φ)
- A = Amplitude (maximum displacement from equilibrium)
- k = Wave Number (spatial frequency, related to wavelength λ by k = 2π/λ)
- x = Position along the wave's path
- ω = Angular Frequency (temporal frequency, related to frequency f by ω = 2πf)
- t = Time
- φ = Phase Constant (initial phase offset at x=0, t=0)