# How to determine the direction of a wave propagation?

In the textbook, it said a wave in the form $y(x, t) = A\cos(\omega t + \beta x + \varphi)$ propagates along negative $x$ direction and $y(x, t) = A\cos(\omega t - \beta x + \varphi)$ propagates along positive $x$ direction. This statement looks really confusing because when it says the wave is propagating along $\pm$ x direction, to my understanding, we can drop the time term and ignore the initial phase $\varphi$ while analyzing the direction, i.e. $y(x, 0) = A\cos(\pm\beta x)$, however, because of the symmetry of the cosine function, $\cos(\beta x)\equiv \cos(-\beta x)$, so how can we determine the direction of propagation from that?

I know my reasoning must be incorrect but I don't know how to determine the direction. So if we don't go over the math, how to figure out the direction of propagation from the physical point of view? Why $-\beta x$ corresponding to the propagation on positive x direction but not the opposite?

## 3 Answers

For a particular section of the wave which is moving in any direction, the phase must be constant. So, if the equation says $y(x,t) = A\cos(\omega t + \beta x + \phi)$, the term inside the cosine must be constant. Hence, if time increases, $x$ must decrease to make that happen. That makes the location of the section of wave in consideration and the wave move in negative direction.

Opposite of above happens when the equation says $y(x,t) = A\cos(\omega t - \beta x + \phi)$. If t increase, $x$ must increase to make up for it. That makes a wave moving in positive direction.

The basic idea:For a moving wave, you consider a particular part of it, it moves. This means that the same $y$ would be found at other $x$ for other $t$, and if you change $t$, you need to change $x$ accordingly.

Hope that helps!

• Very simple subject, but easily mishandled, as shown by the OP's confusion. This is a great, unambiguous answer which kits the reader with the ability to tell when they are right. – WetSavannaAnimal Mar 17 '17 at 11:02
• @WetSavannaAnimalakaRodVance I wrote this when I was in school. I am a Physics undergrad. Feels glad man :') – Cheeku Mar 19 '17 at 7:27

$y(x,t)=A\cos(\omega t+\beta x+\phi)$ in this equation $\omega t$ and $\beta x$ symbols of the coefficient are same i.e( ++ or --) then the wave is negative direction travelling wave.

$y(x,t)=A\cos(\omega t−\beta x+\phi)$ in this equation $\omega t$ and $\beta x$ symbols of the coefficient are alternative i.e( +- or -+) then the wave is positive direction travelling wave.

Here is (in my opinion) an easier answer. I'm sure you know that the line y = x crosses the x-axis in the origin (0, 0). Now we shift the entire line to the right in such a way that it crosses the x-axis in the point (1, 0). The consequence of this is that the function of the line changes. It becomes y = x - 1. Here is that minus-sign again. The entire line is shifted to the right because you have subtracted $$1$$ from all the input values. It's the same thing for a sine function, although the input is in radians then. The -1 in y = x - 1 has the same effect as - w.t in the sine function. In wave functions we call it a phase-shift. This can be a time-dependent phase shift (+/- $$\omega t$$) and/or a constant phase shift ($$\phi$$). Easy as that ;-)

• Welcome to Physics.SE! I have taken the liberty of typesetting your answer using MathJax. In the future it helps makes your posts more readable if you can learn the basics. – Chris Oct 13 '18 at 23:16

## protected by AccidentalFourierTransform8 hours ago

Thank you for your interest in this question. Because it has attracted low-quality or spam answers that had to be removed, posting an answer now requires 10 reputation on this site (the association bonus does not count).

Would you like to answer one of these unanswered questions instead?