The Sine Wave in Nature
by Owen Borville
October 19, 2021
Science, Nature
The mathematical sine wave (or sinusoidal wave) and cosine wave pattern is found in many places in nature with a close approximation or parallel.
A pure sine wave would continue to infinity, but most natural phenomena do not extend to infinity but rather end at some point.
In other words, many natural patterns closesly follow the mathematical sine curve and this correlation allows these curves in nature to be measured with close approximation.
The most commonly referenced pattern in nature to emmulate the sine wave is the sound wave.
Sine waves also allow the representation of changes in frequency or amplitude of the wave pattern.
Most examples of sine waves in nature are not pure sine waves cause of changes in amplitude and frequency preventing a linear sine curve. However, the sine curve in mathematics allows an approximation of these natural phenomena.
Other examples where a sine curve can be used to approximate the phenomena in motion:
The graph of simple harmonic motion produces sine and cosine waves.
Oscillating spring
Ocean Waves
Tides
Musical tones
Electric currents
Radio waves
Wind waves
Light waves
Heat flow
Signal processing
Time series statistical analysis
Seismic (earthquake) waves
In 1822, French mathematician Joseph Fourier discovered that sinusoidal waves can be used to describe and approximate any periodic waveform.
by Owen Borville
October 19, 2021
Science, Nature
The mathematical sine wave (or sinusoidal wave) and cosine wave pattern is found in many places in nature with a close approximation or parallel.
A pure sine wave would continue to infinity, but most natural phenomena do not extend to infinity but rather end at some point.
In other words, many natural patterns closesly follow the mathematical sine curve and this correlation allows these curves in nature to be measured with close approximation.
The most commonly referenced pattern in nature to emmulate the sine wave is the sound wave.
Sine waves also allow the representation of changes in frequency or amplitude of the wave pattern.
Most examples of sine waves in nature are not pure sine waves cause of changes in amplitude and frequency preventing a linear sine curve. However, the sine curve in mathematics allows an approximation of these natural phenomena.
Other examples where a sine curve can be used to approximate the phenomena in motion:
The graph of simple harmonic motion produces sine and cosine waves.
Oscillating spring
Ocean Waves
Tides
Musical tones
Electric currents
Radio waves
Wind waves
Light waves
Heat flow
Signal processing
Time series statistical analysis
Seismic (earthquake) waves
In 1822, French mathematician Joseph Fourier discovered that sinusoidal waves can be used to describe and approximate any periodic waveform.