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Answers for “为什么垂直位置 $y$ 与振幅 $A$ 具有相同的单位?”

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Understand why

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The vertical position yy has the same units as the amplitude AA because the sine function is a dimensionless, unitless quantity. In the equation y(x,t)=Asin⁡(kx−ωt+ϕ)y(x,t)=A\sin(kx-\omega t+\phi), the argument of the sine function evaluates to a pure number in radians, which has no physical units.

Conditions: Applies to the traveling sinusoidal wave equation y(x,t)=Asin⁡(kx−ωt+ϕ)y(x,t)=A\sin(kx-\omega t+\phi).; The sine function outputs a dimensionless number.; AA is measured in distance units (e.g., meters).

Find a method

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To check the units of the sine argument kx−ωt+ϕkx-\omega t+\phi, assign the units of each variable: kk is in rad/m, xx is in m, ω\omega is in rad/s, tt is in s, and ϕ\phi is in rad. Multiply the units for kxkx and ωt\omega t to see that meters and seconds cancel out, leaving radians.

Conditions: Applies to the traveling sinusoidal wave equation y(x,t)=Asin⁡(kx−ωt+ϕ)y(x,t)=A\sin(kx-\omega t+\phi).; kk has units rad/m.; xx has units m.; ω\omega has units rad/s.; tt has units s.; ϕ\phi has units rad.

Meet the concept

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The phase constant ϕ\phi, also called phase shift or phase constant, measures where the oscillation started in the cycle. For the displayed wave equation, it is restricted to the interval 0≤ϕ<2π0 \leq \phi < 2\pi rad and must be expressed in radians.

Conditions: Applies to the phase constant ϕ\phi in the traveling sinusoidal wave equation.; ϕ\phi must be in radians for the equation.; The allowed range is 0≤ϕ<2π0 \leq \phi < 2\pi rad.