Litteraure about Waves and Oscillation

  • Context: High School 
  • Thread starter Thread starter crillegs
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    Oscillation Waves
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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the appropriate terminology and literature related to the physics concepts of waves and oscillations. Participants explore various resources that cover the behavior of mechanical systems, such as springs and vibrating strings, as well as electromagnetic phenomena like photons.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Technical explanation, Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses uncertainty about whether "waves" or "oscillation" is the correct term for the physics phenomenon they are interested in, which includes various aspects such as amplitude, frequency, and interference.
  • Another participant suggests a range of literature, including general physics textbooks and specialized books on waves, such as Crawford's book from the Berkeley Physics Course, and mentions the availability of a kit with practical components.
  • A third participant clarifies their educational background, indicating they are a third-year high school student with a solid understanding of basic mechanics and a time constraint for writing an essay.
  • A later reply shares a link to an online resource that provides a description of the topic with minimal mathematics, highlighting its immediate availability.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the terminology to use, and multiple viewpoints on suitable literature and resources are presented. The discussion remains open with various suggestions and clarifications.

Contextual Notes

Some participants note the importance of the participant's educational level and time constraints, which may influence the suitability of the recommended resources.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be useful for high school students or individuals seeking introductory literature on waves and oscillations in physics, as well as those looking for accessible resources with minimal mathematical complexity.

crillegs
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Hi Guys and Girls

Take note that I am not sure if Waves or Oscillation, is the right word to use about this Physics phenomenon. Well the general subject is, what I could translate it to from danish, Waves. From the movement of a object hanging in a spring, and its movements, to the behaviour of a photon, amplitude, frequency, speed, interference. If Waves is the wrong word, I am sure that you know what I mean by now.

I've looked on Amazon.co.uk (because it will be shipped to Denmark), and I found a couple of books, but I've had quite a problem with the websites.

Hope you have something for me

Best Regards

Christian
 
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You don't state your level of math/physics knowledge so here are a variety of offerings.

Any first year general physics book will cover this, spread out in various chapters. Halliday and Resnick is popular.

For a dedicated treatment, I recommend Crawford's book Waves, volume 3 of the 1st year Berkeley Physics Course. It's probably out of print but you can find a used copy at sites like http://www.bookfinder.com" . The book includes a little kit of light polarizers, quarter wave plates, etc.

For springs, vibrating strings, and all things mechanical: Marion, Classical Dynamics. This is a second or third year university level.

Also see Pippard, Vibrations. Volume 1 covers classical phenomena of every sort, Vol. 2 is quantum mechanics.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Oh I am sorry. I am 3rd year in high school, and Physics is on highest level, so we know all the basics about mechanics. Furthermore I have 2 weeks to write my essay.
 
I found this online:
http://www.lightandmatter.com/area1book3.html"
It looks like a nice description, with minimal mathematics, and has the advantage of being immediately available.
 
Last edited by a moderator:

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