MPhys Physics with Theoretical Physics / Course details

Wave motion occurs in the oceans, atmosphere and in the earth. Problems of wave production and transmission, of wave harnessing or shielding, and of detection will always be of interest. This is a large and important subject area which this course unit can only begin to study, nevertheless this beginning will contain ideas and techniques applicable to a broad range of wave motion.

MATH35012 Pre-Requisites: MATH24420 (OR PHYS20171, OR MATH20401/11)

PHYS20171 is an acceptable alternative for those Maths-Physics students who took that unit instead of MATH24420.

This course unit aims to elucidate some of the physical properties of important types of wave motion and their mathematical descriptions.

On successful completion of this course unit students will be able:  

• Derive the dispersion relation for a range of wave problems.

  
  General wave concepts

• Analyze the dispersion relation to draw physical conclusions.

  
  Interpretation

• Apply the methods of the course to previously unseen wave problems and variations of seen problems.

  
  Mathematical methods

• Define the basic kinematic properties of a wave. Describe and classify the physical properties of a wave from its mathematical form.

  
  Wave kinematics

• Formulate a mathematical problem for a physically-described system, including (but not restricted to) the examples of elastic, water and sound waves.

  
  Wave models

   

1.Introduction: wave kinematics. [1 lecture]

2.Waves on a stretched string. [1]

3.Free surface water waves: Standing/progressive waves, dispersion relations for infinite and finite depth layers. [10]

4.Surface tension effects. [2]

5.Waves in a continuously stratified fluid: internal gravity waves. [2]

6.Sound waves. [8]

Feedback tutorials will provide an opportunity for students' work to be discussed and provide feedback on their understanding.  Coursework or in-class tests (where applicable) also provide an opportunity for students to receive feedback.  Students can also get feedback on their understanding directly from the lecturer, for example during the lecturer's office hour.

No text book is required and all material will be provided in the lecture notes. For those wishing to do further reading, then some appropriate books are   

J.J. Stoker, Water Waves, Wiley, 1958. 

M.J. Lighthill, Waves in Fluids, Cambridge, 1979.