I’m studying engineering, and I see sine waves everywhere I look. why is this waveform so common in nature?
In: Mathematics
Most examples I can think of are due to things trying to get to a stable position.
Swinging pendulum: stable position is at the bottom, but it still has enough energy to overshoot back up to the same height on the opposite side (if undamped).
Spring oscillating: stable position is at δ=0, but overshoot on the way back, same as the pendulum.
Same thing with ripples in water.
A/C current: not exactly sure what induces the oscillation, but I know it goes back and forth between positive and negative, and the smoothest way to do that is a sine wave.
Vibrations through solid objects (probably liquids and gas too, and therefore sound waves) work for the same reason as a spring.
No idea about E&M waves.
Latest Answers