MAS315   Waves   (10 credits)

Description

Studying wave phenomena has had a great impact on Applied Mathematics. This module looks at some important wave motions with a view to understanding them by developing from first principles the key mathematical tools. We begin with waves on strings (e.g. a piano or violin), developing the concept of standing and progressive waves, and normal modes. Fourier series are used to solve problems relating to waves on strings and membranes. Sound waves and water waves are considered. The concepts of dispersion and group velocity are introduced. The course concludes with consideration of 'traffic waves' as the simplest example of nonlinear waves.

Reading List