1 Traveling waves and the Phase Circle

The formula for the displacement due to traveling wave is written

y( x, t) = A sin θ

in which
θ = kx ∓ ω t + φ
is the phase of the wave at a specific position x and specific time t. The wavenumber k = 2π/λ and
the angular frequency ω = 2π/T contain information about the periodic repetition of the waveform
across space and across time. The value of the phase constant φ is the initial value of θ at the
origin. When φ ̸= 0 the wavefunction is initially a shifted sine function.

Exercise 1. Shown is the displacement-versus-position graph of a sine wave that is traveling

y
y(m)

x(m)

Solution: This is easy since there is only one point on phase circle corresponding to the displace-
ment of the medium at that position: θ = +π/2. (Remember that this is saying θ = kx − ω t + φ = +π/2.
This does not tell us the value of φ since we do not know the value of the ω t term.)
y

θ = +π/2
Exercise 2. Shown is the displacement-versus-position graph of a sine wave that is traveling
towards the right. At the moment pictured what is the value of the phase at x = 0 m? (Use the
phase circle provided.)

y
y(m)

x(m)

Solution: There are now two possible solutions, and we must be careful. For a wave traveling
towards the right the phase varies as
θ = kx − ω t + φ

± moment in time, if we compare the phase at different positions in the medium, we see
At a fixed
that dθ d x > 0 rad/m. This means that if we move from the origin towards the right along the
position ( x) axis, the phase will increase (go counter-clockwise around the phase circle). So we see
that the answer must be θ = 0 rad. (Since the photo is obviously an un-shifted sine function, this
answer is expected.)
y

θ=0
Exercise 3. Shown is the displacement-versus-position graph of a sine wave that is traveling
towards the right. At the moment pictured what is the value of the phase at x = 0 m? (Use the
phase circle provided.)

y
y(m)

x(m)

Solution: There are now two possible solutions, and we must be careful. For a wave traveling
towards the right the phase varies as
θ = kx − ω t + φ

± moment in time, if we compare the phase at different positions in the medium, we see
At a fixed
that dθ d x > 0 rad/m. This means that if we move to the right, the phase will increase (go counter-
clockwise). So we see that the answer must be θ = π rad. (Since the photo is obviously a sine
function that has been shifted by half a wavelength, this answer is expected.)
y

θ=π
Exercise 4. Shown is the displacement-versus-position graph of a sine wave that is traveling
towards the right. At the moment pictured what is the value of the phase at x = 0 m? (Use the
phase circle provided.)

y
y(m)

x(m)

Solution: As is usual, when there are two possible solutions, we must be careful. For a wave
traveling towards the right the phase varies as

θ = kx − ω t + φ

As in the previous exercises if we move to the right on the position axis, the phase will increase (go
counter-clockwise). This shows us which quadrant the phase is in.
Looking closely at the y-vs- x graph we see that y = + 21 A . This means that θ = sin−1 (+ 12 ) is either
θ = +π/6 or θ = +5π/6. The phase circle shows us that θ = +5π/6 is the physical solution.
y

θ = +5π/6
Exercise 5. Make your own problem!
Place the sine function on the axes provided. Make a choice for the direction of wave travel.
At the moment you have pictured what is the value of the phase at x = 0 m? (Use the phase circle
provided, and provide a detailed solution to your problem!)

y
y(m)

x(m)
Exercise 6. Shown is the displacement-versus-position graph of a sine wave that is traveling
towards the left. At the moment pictured what is the value of the phase at x = 0 m? (Use the phase
circle provided.)
(Note: The answer is an integer multiple of π/3.)

y
y(m)

x(m)

Solution: As is usual, when there are two possible solutions, we must be extra careful now, since
the wave is traveling towards the left. The phase varies as

θ = kx + ω t + φ

The difference from the previous parts is the sign of the time-dependent term. But, as in the
previous exercises, if we move to the right on the position axis, the phase will still increase (go
counter-clockwise). The phase circle shows us that θ must be in the fourth quadrant.
Looking closely at the y-vs- x graph we see that y ≈ − 65 A . Using our calculator we obtain θ ≈
sin−1 (− 56 ) = −0.985 ≈ −0.313π. We were told that θ is an integer multiple of π/3. From this we
conclude that θ = −π/3.
y

θ = −π/3
Exercise 7. There is a sine wave traveling towards the right on a 1-dimensional medium. Shown
is the displacement-versus-time graph of a specific particle of the medium. What is the value of
the phase of the wave at this particle at t = 0 s? (Use the phase circle provided.)

y
y(m)

t(s)

Solution: As is usual, when there are two possible solutions, we must be exceptionally careful now,
since the phase now varies with time. With the wave travelling towards the right, the phase varies
as
θ = kx − ω t + φ
At fixed ±position (this is the yt-graph for a specific particle of the medium), as time advances we
have dθ d t < 0 rad/s. This means that the phase will decrease (go clock-wise around the phase
circle) with time.
At t = 0 s the particle is passing through y = 0 m. On the phase circle diagram, this is the square
on the vertical y-axis to the right of the circle. As time progresses, the particle moves upwards (the
upwards arrow next to the particle). The two places on the circle consistent with this y-position
would be θ = 0 and θ = +π. But the phase is progressing clock-wise around the circle. Thus θ = +π.
y

θ = +π
Exercise 8. There is a sine wave traveling towards the right on a 1-dimensional medium. Shown
is the displacement-versus-time graph of a specific particle of the medium. What is the value of the
phase of the wave at this particle at t = 0 s? (Use the phase circle provided.)

y
y(m)

t(s)

Solution: As is usual, when there are two possible solutions, we must be careful since the phase
now varies with time. With the wave travelling towards the right, the phase varies as

θ = kx − ω t + φ

At fixed ±position (this is the yt-graph for a specific particle of the medium), as time advances we
have dθ d t < 0 rad/s. This means that the phase will decrease (go clock-wise around the phase
circle) with time.
At t = 0 s the particle is passing through y = 0 m. On the phase circle diagram, this is the square
on the vertical y-axis to the right of the circle. As time progresses, the particle moves downwards
(the downwards arrow next to the particle). The two places on the circle consistent with this y-
position would be θ = 0 and θ = +π. But the phase is progressing clock-wise around the circle. Thus
θ = 0.
y

θ=0
Exercise 9. There is a sine wave traveling towards the right on a 1-dimensional medium. Shown
is the displacement-versus-time graph of a specific particle of the medium. What is the value of the
phase of the wave at this particle at t = 0 s? (Use the phase circle provided.)

y
y(m)

t(s)

Solution: As is usual, when there are two possible solutions, we must be careful since the phase
now varies with time. With the wave travelling towards the right, the phase varies as

θ = kx − ω t + φ

At fixed ±position (this is the yt-graph for a specific particle of the medium), as time advances we
have dθ d t < 0 rad/s. This means that the phase will decrease (go clock-wise around the phase
circle) with time.
At t = 0 s the particle is passing through y = − 12 A . On the phase circle diagram, this is the
square on the vertical y-axis to the right of the circle. As time progresses, the particle moves
upwards (the upwards arrow next to the particle). The two places on the circle consistent with this
y-position would be θ = −π/6 and θ = −5π/6. But the phase is progressing clock-wise around the
circle. Thus θ = −5π/6.
y

θ = −5π/6
Exercise 10. There is a sine wave traveling towards the right on a 1-dimensional medium. Shown
is the displacement-versus-time graph of a specific particle of the medium. What is the value of the
phase of the wave at this particle at t = 0 s? (Use the phase circle provided.)

y
y(m)

t(s)

Solution: As is usual, when there are two possible solutions, we must be careful since the phase
now varies with time. With the wave travelling towards the right, the phase varies as

θ = kx − ω t + φ

At fixed ±position (this is the yt-graph for a specific particle of the medium), as time advances we
have dθ d t < 0 rad/s. This means that the phase will decrease (go clock-wise around the phase
circle) with time.
At t = 0 s the particle is passing through y = − 12 A . On the phase circle diagram, this is the
square on the vertical y-axis to the right of the circle. As time progresses, the particle moves
downwards (the downwards arrow next to the particle). The two places on the circle consistent with
this y-position would be θ ≈ −π/3 and θ ≈ +π/3. But the phase is progressing clock-wise around the
circle. Thus θ ≈ +π/3.
y

θ ≈ +π/3
2 Superposition of Waves
If the functions y1 ( x, t) and y2 ( x, t) are waves on a 1-dimensional medium, then the function

ynet ( x, t) = y1 ( x, t) + y2 ( x, t)

is also a possible wave on the same medium. If we are able to simultaneously generate y1 and
y2 on the medium, then the resulting wave on the medium will be ynet . This is the principle of
superposition.
In the case of two travelling waves that differ only by a phase shift

y1 ( x, t) = A sin( kx − ω t)
y2 ( x, t) = A sin( kx − ω t + φ)

the resultant wave has the expression (equation 16.13, OpenStax v1 c16 s5)

y( x, t) = 2 A cos(φ/2) sin( kx − ω t + φ/2)

y1 ( x, t) = A sin(θ )
y2 ( x, t) = A sin(θ + π2 ) = A cos(θ )

Sketch their superposition

y(m)

y2 y1
−π +π
θ (rad)

(a) Using phasors we can find the net displacement at any point along the θ axis.
Here we sample a few positive multiples of π/4.
p
+ 2A
+A +A

θ=0 θ = +π/4 θ = +π/2

−A p
− 2A
θ = +3π/4 θ = +π θ = +5π/4
(b) Adding the displacements on the graph
y(m)

−π +π
θ (rad)
Exercise 1. For two waves that differ only by a phase shift, find the value of that shift so that the
resultant wave has amplitude A /2. Draw the phasor diagrams (plural!) for this sum.
If we solve from the expression for the amplitude

2 A cos(φ/2) = 21 A
φ = 2 arccos( 41 ) = 2.636 rad ≈ 0.839π rad

is what our calculator tells us. (This is 151◦ .) The other solution in the interval 0 ≤ φ < 2π would
be 2π rad − 2.636 rad = 3.647 rad ≈ 1.161π rad. (In the interval −π < φ ≤ +π it would be −2.636 rad.)
The phasor diagram is an isosceles triangle with sides A , A , and A /2:
3.647 rad

A A
2.636 rad
A /2
A /2
A A
3 Standing Waves and Phase
Problem 1 : Two waves of identical wavelength and amplitude, but travelling in opposite direc-
tions, are superposed on the same string:

y1 ( x, t) = A sin( kx − ω t)
y2 ( x, t) = A sin( kx + ω t)

As can be found using trigonometric identities, the resulting standing waveform on the string is

y = y1 + y2 = 2 A sin( kx) cos(ω t)

(a) For the particle at x = + 14 λ sketch the phase circle for each of the two waves – separately –
at the following multiples of T /8: 0, 1, 2, 3, 4. Hint: The phase constant is zero φ = 0 rad for
each wave, but their phase at t = 0 s is not zero since x ̸= 0 m.
(b) At each of those times, what is the net displacement y?
How does that relate to the sum of the phasors?
(a) At a fixed value of x the phase for each of the waves varies with time, but in opposite directions
about the phase circle. For the wave y2 the phase kx + ω t increases with time (dθ /d t > 0 rad/s), and
its phasor goes counter-clockwise around the circle. But, for the wave y1 the phase kx − ω t decreases
with time (dθ /d t < 0 rad/s), and its phasor goes clockwise around the circle.
At time t = 0 s both waves have the same phase: θ = k · (+λ/4) = +π/2. (Notice that θ ̸= 0 rad even
though φ = 0 rad since kx ̸= 0 rad for both waves.) But as time progresses the two phasors progress
around their phase circles in opposite directions. The sequence of diagrams below show this.
y1 y2

t = 0s

y1 y2

t = 18 T
 y1 y2

t = 14 T

y1 y2

t = 38 T

y1 y2

t = 12 T

(b) At x = + 41 λ, we have 2 A sin( kx) = +2 A , and y = 2 A cos(ω t). At the five listed times the net
p p
displacement y of the medium equals +2 A , + 2 A , 0 m, − 2 A , and −2 A , respectively. Those
values equal the “vertical component” of the sum of the phasors of the two superposed waves.

t = 83 T t = 21 T

t = 0s t = 18 T t = 14 T