cos(wt) plane

cos(wt) plane

Any engineering student will eventually come across the term cos(wt). Pronounce w "omega" for radian frequency. Radian frequency is cycles per second frequency times 2pi. It is fun to see what cos(wt) looks like plotted 3D against the w and t axis. Z being the amplitude. GraphCalc (CNET freeware) 3D plot assumes the two axis are x and y. So just assume left to right is w and up and down is t. You can pick a point on the w axis and look up and down to see the amplitude as a function of t. Or you can pick a point the t axis and see how the amplitude changes with w (radian frequency) looking across.

If w = 0 or t = 0 (either axis) then Z = cos(wt) = 1.

CNET shareware CamStudio for screen recording. Windows Live Movie Maker for misc. features.

Engineers use terms like f(t)*cos(wt) or (f(jw)*cos(wt) as well. f(t) (or f(jw) multiplies and reshapes the cos(wt) plane.

Engineers, especially Radio Frequency engineers, split their time living between the cos(wt) and sin(wt) planes, LOL.

Relax and enjoy the pretty colors!

Category:

Education

Tags:

• complex
• imaginary
• numbers
• math
• education
• radio
• frequency
• rf
• engineer
• engineering
• electronics
• GraphCalc