Behind apparently disparate topics such as waves, optics and modern physics lies a unifying theme that is directly linked to waves. Key to the understanding of waves is the concept of oscillations. While we will describe seemingly ideal oscillations and waves and most in the context of mechanical systems, the tools and concepts we will develop reach far beyond the limited scope of the course. Oscillations and waves are the backbone of modern communication, many diagnostic tools, and other hugely important applications and innovations. The ideas of modern physics that were spurred by an extension of some of these concepts are ubiquituous in the world today. They shape our perception of the world, and expand the toolkit we have to sense it and explore it. Without them, our world view is extremely limited. Get ready to explore, albeit as an introduction, relativity, quantum mechanics, and radioactivity.
- Editing Teacher: Roger Hajjar