Contents:

  1. Introduction
  2. Sine Waves
  3. Wave Speed
  4. Transverse
  5. SHO I
  6. SHO II
  7. Longitudinal
  8. Water Waves
  9. 2D Waves
  10. Adding Waves
  11. Interference
  12. Group Velocity
  13. Other Waves
  14. Fourier
  15. Reflection
  16. Boundaries
  17. Standing Waves
  18. Refraction
  19. Lenses
  20. Path Difference
  21. Impedance
  22. Dispersion I
  23. Dispersion II
  24. Diffraction
  25. Doppler
  26. Electromagnetic I
  27. Antenna
  28. Electromagnetic II
  29. Polarization
  30. Wave Equation
  31. Mass Chains
  32. Non-linearity
  33. Solitons

Ejs Created with Easy Java Simulations


1: Introduction

K. Forinash, School of Natural Sciences, Indiana University Southeast, New Albany IN 47150

Wolfgang Christian, Physics Dept.,Davidson College, Davidson, NC, 28035


Unusual waves at Puerto Escondido, Mexico


NOTE: A more permanent and more up-to-date version of this tutorial can be found on ComPADRE: Waves: An Interacive Tutorial

Disponible en español: Ondas: Tutorial Interactivo.

Also published on iTunes as a tablet/cell phone friendly ePub: Waves: An Interactive Tutorial.

This is a set of interactive tutorials designed to teach the fundamentals of wave dynamics. It starts with very simple wave properties and ends with an examination of nonlinear wave behavior. The emphasis here is on the properties of waves which are difficult to illustrate in a static textbook figure. The tutorial may be used in conjunction with a text or as a stand alone introduction to waves. Exposure to calculus and basic physics is assumed in the latter sections.

If you see any errors or have ideas for topics that should be included, please contact me: kforinas@ius.edu

NOTE: The simulations are now all in JavaScript and have been tested to run in Chrome and Firefox browsers with JavaScript enabled. They should also run in those browsers on tablets and smart phones.

Video Clip of interesting waves from Puerto Escondido, Mexico, summer 2005: Surfer.