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Outline:

This module aims to provide students with foundation understanding of wave motion and the properties of different types of waves with major applications in physical and geometrical optics and propagation of sound waves. Topics include: basic properties of waves, transverse and longitudinal waves, dispersion, Doppler effect, properties of light, interference.

Aims:

This module aims to provide:

• an account of the phenomenon of wave propagation and the properties of the wave equation in general, in a form which can be applied to a range of physical phenomena;
• an explanation of the way in which wave equations arise in some specific cases (transverse waves on a string; longitudinal sound waves in gases and solids);
• a discussion of reflection and refraction, illustrating the relationship between the wave and geometric (ray) pictures;
• a description of phenomena which arise from the superposition of waves, including interference and diffraction;
• an overview of simple optical devices in terms of geometric optics, including small numbers of lenses and curved mirrors, with a discussion of the limitations placed on such devices by diffraction;
• an introduction to simple optical devices which rely on interference;
• a description of the propagation of waves in free space and in simple enclosures;
• a foundation for the description of quantum mechanical wave phenomena in course PHAS0022 Quantum Physics and the theory of electromagnetic waves in PHAS0021 Electricity and Magnetism.

Teaching and Learning Methodology:

This module is delivered via weekly lectures supplemented by a series of problem solving tutorials and additional discussion.

In addition to timetabled lecture and PST hours it is expected that students engage in self-study in order to master the material. This can take the form, for example, of practicing example questions and further reading in textbooks and online.