SWINGS AND WAVES
- Overview
- Assessment methods
- Learning objectives
- Contents
- Bibliography
- Teaching methods
- Contacts/Info
Basic knowledge of trigonometry and math analysis (provided by Calculation courses) and mechanics (provided by the course of Mechanics of the point, systems and fluids). However, no pre-requisites are required.
The exam is oral and is normally based on four questions related to: 1) basic oscillatory phenomena, 2) advanced oscillatory phenomena, 3) basic wave-like phenomena, 4) advanced wave-like phenomena.
The answers must consist of a general description of the physical phenomenon and the analytical derivation of formulas that describe the phenomenon from the mathematical point of view. In this way, the acquisition of technical skills and exposure rigor will be verified. The demonstration of the basic knowledge related to questions 1) and 3) is sufficient to pass the exam with a good grade. The way in which the student answers questions 2) and 4) determines an increase of the score up to 30 and praise if the student demonstrates mastery of all topics, techniques of calculation and excellent exhibition capacity.
The aim of the course is to introduce students to the fundamental aspects of oscillatory and undulatory phenomena. At the end of the course the student must be able to provide a precise mathematical description of these phenomena together with an understanding of their physical meaning.
The ability to learn is stimulated through the study of particular advanced topics that require the use of techniques such as perturbation calculation and Fourier analysis that will be useful to students during their career.
The autonomy of judgment is expressed in the evaluation of teaching by completing the prepared questionnaires.
Particular attention will be given to the acquisition by the students of the ability to expose the acquired knowledge through a rigorous and precise language.
The course is equally divided between oscillations (24 h) and waves (24 h)
OSCILLATIONS
Harmonic oscillations, free, forced, damped, forced and damped (8 h)
Coupled Oscillators (4 hrs)
Inverted Pendulum (4 h)
Parametric oscillations (4 h)
Nonlinear oscillations (4 h)
WAVES
D'Alembert equation, flat waves and spherical waves (2 h)
Monochromatic plane waves, beats, group velocity, dispersion (2 h)
Acoustics (2 h)
Sea Waves (2 h)
Waves in a solid (2 h)
Waves in a string with fixed ends, Fourier analysis (4 h)
Interference: Young, Michelson, Mach-Zehnder interferometers (4 h)
Diffraction: Kirchoff integral, single slit, double slit, grating, circular opening, opaque disk (6
Landau L., Lifshits E.M., “Mechanics”, Pergamon
Notes provided by the teacher.
Frontal teaching (48 h)
The teacher receives the students by appointment by writing to franco.prati@uninsubria.it