Fourier transform for beginners?

[Abigale]

Hallo,

I really don't understand Fourier transform.
Do somebody know a good book for beginners?
Something like Fourier transform for dummies or so?

I need it just for physics.
So it don't have to be to mathematical. ^^
THX

 

[Simon Bridge]

I'm afraid it has to be mathematical: the language of physics is maths.

The Fourier transform is just this:

$F(\nu)$ is the Fourier transform of $f(t)$ if $$F(\nu) = \int_{-\infty}^\infty f(t)e^{-2\pi i\nu t}dt$$

That's it!

The rest is exploring the consequences.
You should start by finding the Fourier transform of $f(t)=A\sin\omega t$ ... I'm afraid you just have to do the math until you get it.

In a nutshell - you know how any function can be written as a sum of sine waves?
The Fourier transform is part of that.