MPhys Physics with Astrophysics

Vibrations & Waves

To explore the detailed behaviour of vibrating systems and wave motion in many different physical systems.

On completion successful students will be able to:

1. describe and quantitively analyse the behaviour of oscillating systems and wave motion.
2.  apply the mathematical formalism that describes them.
3. recognise examples of oscillating systems and wave motion across many areas of physics

1. Simple harmonic motion (SHM):  Energy in a vibrating system.
2. Damped SHM, Q values and power response curves.
3. Forced SHM, resonance and transients.
4. Coupled SHM. Normal modes.
5. Waves. The 1-D wave equation.
6. Waves at interfaces. Wave energy and power. Standing Waves.
7. The wave equation in 2-D and 3-D. Superposition.
8. Phase and group velocity. Beats. Dispersion.
9. Intereference and diffraction.
10. The Schrodinger equation: finite wells, potential steps and barriers. Tunnelling. 

Examples of vibrating systems and waves will be given in the lectures and on the problem sheets.

* 10% Tutorial Work/attendance 

Feedback will be offered by tutors on students’ written solutions to weekly examples sheets, and model answers will be issued.

Printed summaries will be downloadable. 

King G.C., Vibrations and Waves (Manchester Physics Series, Wiley, 2009)