Question

How do I graph periodic wave functions electronically? Is it possible to use calc plot 3D or Wolfram Alpha? I'm trying to visualize y(x,t) = A sin(kx + wt + phi)

Answer 1

The code to plot the function

y(x,t)=Sin[w t + k x+ phi]

on Wolfram Alpha or Mathematica is

Plot3D[Sin[x + t], {x, 0, 4 Pi}, {t, 0, 4 Pi},  AxesLabel -> {"x", "t", "y"}]

You need to input the numerical values of k , w , phi and A

I have assumed A = k = w = 1 and phi = 0

The result obtained is below

On mathematica, you can rotate, change colour and zoom in the graphics as well.