Applying Trigonometric Functions to Waves and Natural Phenomena

PreCalculus B - Unit 2 Lesson 10 Portfolio (20 points).
Make sure you show your work step by step or explain how you got values from your graphs when appropriate.
Part 1: Modeling Sunrise (6 points)
The time of sunrise in a fictional world varies throughout the year and can be modeled with a sinusoidal function. Use the following data for a location where sunrise times over a year follow the function:
y=12+1.5 sin 2365x-2

where x is the day of the year (0x365 or 0 x364), and y represents the time of sunrise in hours past midnight & (0y20).

Graph the function over one year. Choose your axis and scales to best reflect the data. You may use a graphing program for this. In fact we encourage you to. Be sure to include your graph!

Identify the earliest and latest sunrise times. When do they occur? Show / explain how you determined these.

Describe how the function models the changes in sunrise times throughout the year.

What are two ways you could change the trigonometric model to increase in the sunrise time?

Part 2: Wave Behavior (6 points)
Constructive and Destructive Interference:
Two wave functions are given:
y1=2sin(x)
y2=2sinx+2
Graph y1, y2 and their resultant wave yR=y1+y2. Choose your axis and scales to best reflect the data. You may use a graphing program for this. In fact we encourage you to. Make sure to label which graph is which. Be sure to include your graph!

Identify points of constructive interference (where the wave amplitudes add maximally - see lesson 10 for more explanation). Show / explain how you determined these.

Identify points of destructive interference (where the waves cancel out - see lesson 10 for more explanation).Show / explain how you determined these.

Explain how interference patterns can relate to phenomena like sound beats or noise cancellation.

Part 3: Resonance (6 points)
A sound wave is modeled by the function:
y1=3sin(2x)
where x is time in seconds.

A second wave overlaps, modeled by:
y2=3sin(2x+3)

Write the resultant wave yR=y1+y2.

What is the maximum amplitude of the resultant wave?

[Note: Trigonometric Identities, in this case sum-to-product, in future units / lessons will indicate the resultant wave to be yR=33sin(2x+6) ]

At what values of x will the resultant wave first reach its maximum amplitude? Show / explain how you determined these.


[Note: A sine function sin(Bx+C) reaches its maximum value of 1 when:
Bx+C = 2+2n, n =...,-2, -1, 0, 1, 2,...]

Reflection (2 points)
In a brief paragraph, summarize what you learned about the application of trigonometric functions in modeling waves and natural phenomena. Explain how understanding these concepts can be applied in real-world contexts, such as engineering, music, or environmental science.

1 answer

Part 1: Modeling Sunrise (6 points)

Given Function:
\[ y = 12 + 1.5 \sin(2365x - 2) \]

Step 1: Identify Characteristics of Sinusoidal Function

  • Amplitude: 1.5 hours (the maximum deviation from the midline).
  • Vertical Shift: 12 hours (the average time of sunrise).
  • Period: Calculate using the formula \( \text{Period} = \frac{2\pi}{k} \) where \( k = 2365 \). The period is thus: \[ \text{Period} = \frac{2\pi}{2365} \approx 0.00265 \text{ years} \]

Step 2: Graphing the Function Using a graphing program, we graph the function over one year (x from 0 to 1):

  • X-axis: Days of the year (0 to 365).
  • Y-axis: Sunrise time (y in hours, from 0 to 20).
  • Graph: (You can create a graph of this function online or using a graphing calculator.)

Step 3: Earliest and Latest Sunrise Times

  • Maximum and Minimum Values:
    • Maximum \( y = 12 + 1.5 = 13.5 \) hours at \( \sin(2365x - 2) = 1 \)
    • Minimum \( y = 12 - 1.5 = 10.5 \) hours at \( \sin(2365x - 2) = -1 \)

Determining when these occur:

  • Maximum occurs when: \[ 2365x - 2 = \frac{\pi}{2} + 2n\pi \quad (n \in \mathbb{Z}) \] Solving for max yields specific days.

  • Minimum occurs when: \[ 2365x - 2 = \frac{3\pi}{2} + 2n\pi \]

By solving these equations for \( x \), we get the days of the year corresponding to the earliest and latest sunrise.

Step 4: Model Explanation This sine function gives a clear model of the gradual changes in sunrise time through the year, reflective of the Earth's tilt and orbit.

Step 5: Changing the Model

  1. Increase the amplitude: Alter the function to \( y = 12 + A \sin(2365x - 2) \) where \( A > 1.5 \).
  2. Change the vertical shift: Adjust the midline using a higher value than 12 to simulate later sunrises.

Part 2: Wave Behavior (6 points)

Given Wave Functions:
\[ y_1 = 2\sin(x) \]
\[ y_2 = 2\sin(x) + 2 \]

Step 1: Graphing the Waves

  • Graph: Use graphing software to plot both wave equations and their resultant \( y_R = y_1 + y_2 \).
  • Label each wave clearly.

Step 2: Identifying Interference Patterns

  • Constructive Interference occurs when the peaks of both waves align:

    • This happens when both \( \sin(x) \) values are maximally aligned, which can be calculated by finding peaks where both functions output the same maximum.
  • Destructive Interference occurs at points where the waves cancel:

    • This happens when the calculated values of \( y_1 \) and \( y_2 \) result in zero at certain points, primarily where \( 2\sin(x) + 2 - 2\sin(x) = 0 \).

Part 3: Resonance (6 points)

Given Waves:
\[ y_1 = 3\sin(2x) \]
\[ y_2 = 3\sin(2x + 3) \]

Step 1: Resultant Wave Using trigonometric identities, we can deduce: \[ y_R = 3\sin(2x) + 3\sin(2x + 3) \] (Apply sum-to-product to find the simplified form).

Step 2: Maximum Amplitude The resultant maximum amplitude will be determined by the coefficients of the sinusoidal components, which can total to \( 3 \times 2 = 6 \) for maximal constructive interference.

Step 3: Calculate Maximum Occurrence To find when \( y_R \) is at maximum: Set \( 2x + C = \frac{\pi}{2} + 2n\pi \). By solving for \( x \):

  • Substitute \( C = 3 \) from the second wave.

Reflection (2 points)

In summary, the applications of trigonometric functions such as sine and cosine are pivotal in modeling natural phenomena like sunrise times and wave behaviors. This understanding allows for the prediction of various real-world events across numerous fields, including sound engineering (as in beats and noise cancellation) and environmental science (modeling natural oscillations). These functions provide a valuable framework for analyzing periodic behavior, which is essential for creating systems that can predict and respond to patterns in nature or technology.