SINUSOIDAL FUNCTIONS

• A common function in engineering and

science is the function which, when plotted
on a graph, traces out a sine wave.

• Sine waves are used to model alternating

current in electrical engineering, and
simple harmonic motion in mechanical
engineering, to name just two common
examples.
 PROPERTIES OF THE SINE
WAVE

• It is a continuous function-there are no

breaks

• It is a periodic function-it repeats itself

over and over again.
 EQUATION OF A SINE WAVE

• y = A sin bθ

where A is the Amplitude (or Peak value) and b is the

number of waves completed in 360º

• The graph of y = sinθ ( in effect y = 1sin1θ) is shown

below.

• The amplitude is given by the maximum height of the

wave (A= 1)

• There is one completed wave in 360º (b = 1)

 Graph of y=sinx

1.5

0.5
y

0
0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350 400

-0.5

-1

-1.5
x
• The graph of y=2sinθ is shown below. This is actually
2sin1θ. Compare with the standard equation:
Asin b θ
•
• The amplitude (or peak value) is 2. There is one
completed wave in 360º.
4

0
0 90 180 270 360

-1

-2

-3
Y=2SINX

-4
 4
Consider y=2sin3θ
3

0
0 90 180 270 360

-1

-2

-3
y=2sin3x

-4
 PHASE ANGLE
Not all sine waves start from 0.
Consider the wave shown below:
4

0
-90 0 90 180 270 360

-1

-2

-3
y=2sin(x+ 30)

-4
• This wave has amplitude of 2, it completes one
complete wave in a period of 360º. However, its
starting point is not 0. It has started 30º before
zero.

• The 30º is called the phase angle and is

denoted by the symbol, α. It has a leading
phase angle and its equation is:
• y = 2 sin ( 1 θ + 30)º

• Thus the standard equation for a sine wave is

modified to include the phase angle α. Is:
• y = A sin ( bθ + α. )º
 TIME BASE, t
• As most sine waves in practical situations
involve time. θ is replaced by ωt.

In studies of angular motion:

Angular Distance = Angular velocity x time
θ = ω x t.

so the standard equation for the sine function is

now modified to:
y = A sin (b ωt. + α. )º
 DEFINITIONS

• Cycle: The portion of the waveform which

shows its complete shape without any repetition.
• Period: The distance (in degrees or radians)
covered by one complete sine wave.
• Periodic Time: The time taken to complete one
period
• Frequency: The number of cycles per second.
Frequency is measured in Hertz (Hz)
•
 EXAMPLE: Sketch the graph of the function, y = 3sin2θ.
And use the graph to explain the meaning of amplitude,

6
periodic time and frequency .
4

0
0 0 90 180 270 360

-2

-4

• The curve
-6 completes two waves in 360º.
• It has a maximum height (amplitude) of 3.
• The period is 360/2 = 180º
 PERIODIC TIME
• In the case of many sine waves, particularly those
dealing with alternating current and mechanical vibration,
the horizontal ‘x’ axis is replaced by time, t.

• The angle is often measured in radians, so 360º

becomes 2π radians.

• The time taken for the sine wave, 3sin2t to complete

one period is therefore 2π/2 = 3.14 seconds.

• This is the Periodic time of the wave and is denoted by

the Greek symbol T (pronounced ‘tau’
EXAMPLES: For each of the following sine waves, sketch the graph of
the trigonometric function and use it to calculate, explain and describe
amplitude, periodic time and frequency.

• (Q1) 4sin3t

• (Q2) 5sin 0.5t

• (Q3) 3sin 50t

• (Q4) 2sin 4t

• (Q5) 3.5sin 2t
 ANSWERS
In all cases it should be stated that

• Amplitude is the maximum and minimum value

of the wave;

• Periodic Time is the time taken for one full

waveform to be completed,

• Frequency is the number of complete cycles of

the wave in unit time.
 (Q1) 4sin3t
Amplitude = 4
Period = 2.094s
Frequency = 0.477Hz

• Amplitude is 4
• 2pie/3 = t , 2.094 = t
• 1/t = f, 1 / 2.094 = f, 0.477Hz = f
 (Q2) 5sin 0.5t
• Amplitude = 5:

• 2pie / 0.5 = t,
• t = 12.56s
• Period 12.56s ;

• 1/t=f,
• 1 / 12.56 = f,
• f = 0.079Hz
• Frequency = 0.0795Hz
 (Q3) 3sin 50t
• Amplitude = 3:

• 2pie / 50 = t
• t = 0.1256
• Periodic Time = 0.1256s;

• 1/t = f ,
• 1 / 0.1256 = f,
• f = 7.95Hz
• Frequency = 7.95Hz
 (Q4) 2sin 4t
• Amplitude = 2:

• 2pie / 4 = t
• T = 1.570
• Period = 1.57s;
• 1/t = f
• 1 / 1.57 = f
• f = 0.637
• Frequency = 0.6369Hz
 (Q5) 3.5sin 2t
• Amplitude = 3.5:

• 2pie / 3.5 = t
• t = 3.24s
• Period = 3.1416s;
• 1/t = f
• 1/ 3.14 = f
• F 0.318

• Frequency = 0.318Hz
 319sin314.2t
• Amplitude = 319

• t = 2pie / 314.2
• t = 0.02s
• Periodic time = 0.02s

• f = 1/t
• f = 1 / 0.02
• f = 50Hz
 319sin(314.2t + 10)
• What happens?

• What difference will the 10 make to the

waveform?
• (Q1) Amplitude = 4: Period = 2.074s; Frequency
= 0.477Hz

• (Q2) Amplitude = 5: Period 12.56s ; Frequency

= 0.0795Hz

• (Q3) Amplitude = 3: Period = 0.1256s;

Frequency = 7.95Hz

• (Q4) Amplitude = 2: Period = 1.57s; Frequency

= 0.6369Hz

• (Q5) Amplitude = 3.5: Period = 3.1416s;

Frequency = 0.318Hz
 Summary
• Sine Wave Purest waveform
• Consider: 2sin3x+10
• 2 = amplitude
• 3 = how many waveforms in 360 degrees
• 10 = 10 degrees phaseshift