When a cycle of a sine wave is not symmetrical from top to bottom, it indicates an imbalance in the wave's amplitude during the positive (crest) and negative (trough) phases. In other words, the wave does not exhibit equal displacements or variations in its values above and below the equilibrium position.
If a sine wave is perfectly symmetrical, it means that the positive and negative halves of the wave have equal amplitudes. This balance indicates that the wave oscillates equally in both directions from the equilibrium position.
When a cycle is not symmetrical top to bottom, it suggests that the wave has an asymmetric or unequal distribution of energy or displacement during its positive and negative excursions. This can be caused by various factors, such as distortion, modulation, or non-linear effects introduced by the medium or system through which the wave propagates.
In practical applications, asymmetrical waveforms are often encountered, especially in the field of electronics, where non-linear circuits or waveform-shaping techniques can result in waveform distortions or imbalances. Analyzing and understanding such waveforms can provide insights into the characteristics and behavior of the underlying system or signal.