Which of the following displacement expressions does NOT represent an undistorted wave profile propagating with one constant speed along the x-axis?
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Question

Which of the following displacement expressions does NOT represent an undistorted wave profile propagating with one constant speed along the x-axis?

G1 Physics · Accepted Answer

For a constant-speed travelling wave, a constant-phase point must move with one constant velocity. For kx²−ωt = constant, differentiate: 2kx dx/dt−ω = 0. Thus, dx/dt = ω/(2kx). This speed depends on x. Hence the profile is not simply translated with one constant speed. Correct option: C.