electiveHQ

Waves and oscillations are present in the modelling of many physical systems. An understanding is gained using a variety of physical examples including mechanical oscillators, waves on a string, acoustic waves, surface water waves and electromagnetic waves. Key mathematical techniques include Laplace transforms, normal mode analysis, Fourier analysis, Fourier transforms, method of characteristics. Content will include topics drawn from : simple harmonic oscillators, Laplace transforms, coupled oscillators, transverse standing waves, Longitudinal standing waves, sound waves in a gas, Fourier analysis, travelling waves, energy conservation, transmission lines, reflection and transmission at boundaries, wave pulses, Fourier transforms, dispersive waves, surface waves in water. Nonlinear kinematic waves, traffic flow.