Frequency of Harmonic Wave

Theorem

Let $\phi$ be a harmonic wave expressed as:

$\forall x, t \in \R: \map \phi {x, t} = a \map \cos {\omega \paren {x - c t} }$

The frequency $\nu$ of $\phi$ can be expressed as:

$\nu = \dfrac 1 \tau$

where $\tau$ is the period of $\phi$.

Proof 1

By definition, a harmonic wave is an instance of a periodic wave.

Hence Frequency of Periodic Wave can be used directly.

$\blacksquare$

Proof 2

By definition, $\nu$ is the number of complete wavelengths of $\phi$ to pass an arbitrary point on the $x$-axis in unit time.

Let $x_0$ be that arbitrary point.

By definition, $\tau$ is the time taken for one complete wavelength of $\phi$ to pass $x_0$.

So after unit time, $\dfrac 1 \tau$ wavelengths of $\phi$ pass $x_0$.

Hence the result.

$\blacksquare$

Sources

• 1955: C.A. Coulson: Waves (7th ed.) ... (previous) ... (next): Chapter $\text {I}$: The Equation of Wave Motion: $\S 3$: $(6)$