'

Plane wave ( in the positive x direction)

Description

In the physics of wave propagation, a plane wave is a constant-frequency wave whose wavefronts (surfaces of constant phase) are infinite parallel planes of constant peak-to-peak amplitude normal to the phase velocity vector. A plane wave travelling in the positive x direction is representing by a cosine function.

Related formulas

Variables

AxThe disturbance of the wave at the given point (dimensionless)
A0 the amplitude of the wave (the peak magnitude of the oscillation) (dimensionless)
kThe wave’s wave number (radians/m)
xThe point along the x-axis. (m)
ωThe wave’s angular frequency (radians/sec)
tThe given point in time (sec)
ϕThe phase shift of the wave (radians)