Introduction to Waves
How do Waves Originate?
Types of Waves
Continuous and Pulsed Disturbances

Properties of Waves
Wave Representation
Wave Characteristics
Wavelength and Frequency
Frequency and Period
Phase Relationships

Wave-Wave Interactions
Interference of Waves
Wave Interference: Beats
Wave Interference: Standing Waves
Adding waves as vectors (phasors)
Wave Interference: Coherence
Polarization
Fourier Analysis: Periodic Functions
Fourier Analysis: Non-Periodic Functions

Wave-Matter Interactions
Spherical waves, plane waves and Huygens's Principle
Reflection of Waves
Refraction of Waves
Diffraction of Waves

Sound
Traveling Sound Waves
The Doppler Effect

Light
Electro-Magnetic waves
Double slit experiment
Linear Polarizer
The Poincare sphere
Polarimetry: Using polarized light to study matter

AC Electrical Circuits
Resistor
Capacitor
Inductor
Multi-Element Circuit

Future Link: Complex Analysis
Complex Numbers
Applications of Complex Numbers

Future Link: Quantum Mechanics-Matter Probabilitty Waves
Two Slit Experiment with Particles
Adding Probabilities

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Work on this web site is supported by the Research Corporation Cottrell Scholar Award and the National Science Founadation CAREER Award DMR-0449899.