A traveling wave has displacement given by y (x, t) = (2.0cm) * cos (2πx-4πt), where x is measured in cm and t in s. what is the speed of the wave?

v = 2 cm/s

Explanation:

The equation of the wave is

y (x, t) = (2.0cm) * cos (2π*x-4π*t)

Where,

x is measured in cm

t in s

A more general formula for this equation would be

y (x, t) = A*cos (k*x-ω*t)

Where,

A = amplitude.

k = the wavenumber

ω = the angular frequency

The velocity of the wave corresponds to

v = ω/k

v = 4π / 2π = 2 cm/s

v = 2 cm/s