Q. 104 - Precalculus Enhanced with Graphing Utilities

Question

Find an application in your major field that leads to a sinusoidal graph. Write a paper about your findings. 

Step-by-Step Solution

Answer

The various application that leads to sinusoidal graph are

• propagation of sound and light waves
• seismometers
• crankshaft engines

Step 1. Definition

Any function which repeats and lies in a given range can be constructed by sinusoidal function. 

The general form of a sinusoidal function is given as $y=A\sin \left(\omega x\right)$.

Step 2. Applications

Sound waves and light waves behave like sinusoidal graphs. So the propagation of light and sound waves produces a sinusoidal graph as an output.

The seismometer is an instrument that is used to measure seismic waves produced by earthquakes. The instrument produces a sinusoidal graph that can be used to detect the amplitude and intensity of an earthquake.

Another application is that of an engine. The piston-crankshaft of an engine generates sinusoidal and the motion of the piston is periodic.