Waves in one dimension

Wave phenomena constitute a different kind of motion from that of the motion of particles. In a wave, particles might be moving, but what is most important is that energy and momentum is being transported from one object to the next. It is this flow of energy without a flow of mass that is new and important here.

We begin our study of waves by making the connection to the motion of particles: waves on an elastic string. We then work through the concepts (and the math) associated with the motion of energy that is not associated with a flow of mass. The ideas and tools we develop here will be critical in helping us understand sound and light.

For more discussion of the context and motivation for this chapter, see the following page:

• Overview: Waves in 1D

Here's the full Table of Contents of the chapter. The notation "(EX)" means that there is a worked example attached to that page. The notation "{WO}" means there is an activity (a Workout) attached to that page, usually one that involves working with a simulation.

• Waves on an elastic string
• Wave pulses (EX, WO)
  • Propagating a wave pulse -- the math
• Wave speed  (WO)
• Superposition of waves in 1D (WO, EX)
• Sinusoidal waves
  • Reading the content in a sinusoidal wave 
  • Beats (WO)
  • Standing waves (WO)
    • Electron waves and the quantum string
  • Spectral analysis -- summing different wavelengths

Joe Redish 6/11/19