Unit II: Waves

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An extended oscillating object, such as a vibrating string, can be thought of as the limit of a very large number of coupled individual oscillators. In this case, it is easier to consider the motion of the entire system as a whole, which leads to the broad topic of waves. As before, the important physical concepts and mathematical techniques used to describe wave behavior are presented. These include topics such as dispersion, which are specific to waves, as well as techniques such as Fourier analysis, which are used more broadly.

A diagram showing a black line going downward diagonally, with three red circles on it.  Lecture 7: Many Coupled Oscillators & Wave Equations

A white line formszig zags on a black background.  Lecture 8: Traveling & Standing Waves

White sand forms figures that look like hourglasses on a black piece of paper.  Lecture 9: Normal Modes in Sound and Music 

A diagram showing a thick black line with an up and down arrow next to it.  A ring circles the line and has a thinner blue line attached to it.  Problem Set 4

A blue oval is drawn on a chalkboard.  A pink wavy line runs through it.  Lecture 10: Exam Review 1 and Discussion of Problem Solving

On a piece of graph paper, a flattened disc has been drawn. Two curved red lines come out from the bottom. A small dome is on top.  Lecture 11: Fourier Analysis

A graph written on a chalkboard has many lines drawn from where the two axes meet.  Lecture 12: Dispersion, Phase Velocity, Group Velocity

A diagram featuring a double line at a right angle. Half of the line is green.  Problem Set 5

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