Waves and Oscillations
A.Y. 2025/2026
Learning objectives
The aim of the course is to introduce the students to the physics of oscillation and waves. Whenever possible the introduction
of the topics of the course will involve an experimental demonstration of the investigated phenomenon in the classroom. The
phenomenological introduction will be sided by the formulation of simple descriptive models, with the aim of showing how oscillations
and waves of different nature can be dealt with by means of a unitary theoretical description.
of the topics of the course will involve an experimental demonstration of the investigated phenomenon in the classroom. The
phenomenological introduction will be sided by the formulation of simple descriptive models, with the aim of showing how oscillations
and waves of different nature can be dealt with by means of a unitary theoretical description.
Expected learning outcomes
At the end of the course, the student will have acquired the following abilities:
- Ability to describe the basic phenomenology of oscillations and wave propagation
- Ability to describe oscillations and waves with simple linearized models
- Ability to solve quantitatively problems on oscillations and waves
- Ability to describe the basic phenomenology of oscillations and wave propagation
- Ability to describe oscillations and waves with simple linearized models
- Ability to solve quantitatively problems on oscillations and waves
Lesson period: Second semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.
Course syllabus and organization
CORSO A
Responsible
Lesson period
Second semester
FIS/01 - EXPERIMENTAL PHYSICS - University credits: 7
Practicals: 24 hours
Lessons: 40 hours
Lessons: 40 hours
Professor:
Guzzo Luigi
CORSO B
Responsible
Lesson period
Second semester
Course syllabus
1- Oscillations
- Harmonic oscillator
- Damped harmonic oscillator.
- Forced-damped oscillator, resonance
2- Mechanical waves: vibrating string
- Vibrating string
- Derivation of d'Alembert's equation for the string and its properties
- Wave function properties, harmonic waves
- Constrained string and standing waves, normal modes
- Power of a wave
- Transmission and reflection coefficients
3- Mechanical waves: acoustics
- Elements of thermodynamics
- Acoustic waves in a perfect gas
- Speed of sound
- Stationary acoustic waves
- Power of an acoustic wave
- Plane and spherical waves
- Phonometry and sound level
- Geometric and absorption attenuation
- Perception of sounds, harmonic scale and musical instruments
- Doppler effect
4 - Introduction to Fourier analysis
- Normal modes and Fourier series of sines and cosines
- Fourier coefficients, spectrum, examples and applications
- Description in the complex field, integral and Fourier transform, Dirac delta
5 - Reflection and refraction of acoustic and light waves
- Snell-Cartesian laws
- Fermat's Principle
- Total internal reflection
- Coefficients of reflection and transmission
- Chromatic dispersion
- Geometric Optics: paraxial approximation; image formation;
- Plane and curved mirrors; diopters; thin lenses; lens manufacturer's equation
6 - Interference and diffraction of acoustic and light waves.
- Spectrum of electromagnetic waves; speed of light; wave-corpuscle duality
- Interference and beating
- Huygens-Fresnel principle
- Fraunhofer diffraction from an aperture
- Interference from a double slit
- Fourier optics
- Rayleigh criterion
- Diffraction grating
- Interference from a thin foil
- Michelson's Interferometer
-Polarization of light
- Harmonic oscillator
- Damped harmonic oscillator.
- Forced-damped oscillator, resonance
2- Mechanical waves: vibrating string
- Vibrating string
- Derivation of d'Alembert's equation for the string and its properties
- Wave function properties, harmonic waves
- Constrained string and standing waves, normal modes
- Power of a wave
- Transmission and reflection coefficients
3- Mechanical waves: acoustics
- Elements of thermodynamics
- Acoustic waves in a perfect gas
- Speed of sound
- Stationary acoustic waves
- Power of an acoustic wave
- Plane and spherical waves
- Phonometry and sound level
- Geometric and absorption attenuation
- Perception of sounds, harmonic scale and musical instruments
- Doppler effect
4 - Introduction to Fourier analysis
- Normal modes and Fourier series of sines and cosines
- Fourier coefficients, spectrum, examples and applications
- Description in the complex field, integral and Fourier transform, Dirac delta
5 - Reflection and refraction of acoustic and light waves
- Snell-Cartesian laws
- Fermat's Principle
- Total internal reflection
- Coefficients of reflection and transmission
- Chromatic dispersion
- Geometric Optics: paraxial approximation; image formation;
- Plane and curved mirrors; diopters; thin lenses; lens manufacturer's equation
6 - Interference and diffraction of acoustic and light waves.
- Spectrum of electromagnetic waves; speed of light; wave-corpuscle duality
- Interference and beating
- Huygens-Fresnel principle
- Fraunhofer diffraction from an aperture
- Interference from a double slit
- Fourier optics
- Rayleigh criterion
- Diffraction grating
- Interference from a thin foil
- Michelson's Interferometer
-Polarization of light
Prerequisites for admission
- integral and differential calculus
- trigonometry
- elements of mechanics
- trigonometry
- elements of mechanics
Teaching methods
The course includes classroom lectures. The arguments are introduced starting from phenomenology, to arrive at formulating simple linear descriptive models. The phenomenological introduction is accompanied by experimental demonstrations, in order to allow students to visualize the phenomena illustrated. The lectures are supported by a part of exercises, during which quantitative problems are solved using the theoretical models formulated during the lectures.
Teaching Resources
video handouts
- Fleisch, Kinnaman, Guida allo Studio delle Onde, Ed. Riuniti
- Mazzoldi-Nigro-Voci, Fisica 2, Edises
Integrazione e approfondimento:
- Halliday-Resnick-Krane, Fisica vol 1 e 2, CEA
- Jewett & Serway, Principi di Fisica, vol 1, Edises
- Bettini, Le onde e la luce, Zanichelli
- Fleisch, Kinnaman, Guida allo Studio delle Onde, Ed. Riuniti
- Mazzoldi-Nigro-Voci, Fisica 2, Edises
Integrazione e approfondimento:
- Halliday-Resnick-Krane, Fisica vol 1 e 2, CEA
- Jewett & Serway, Principi di Fisica, vol 1, Edises
- Bettini, Le onde e la luce, Zanichelli
Assessment methods and Criteria
The exam includes a written test followed by an oral test. The written test includes some exercises of difficulty similar to that of the problems proposed during the exercises. The written test is valid for one calendar year. On the website of the teaching a collection of exam topics is available. The oral exam lasts approximately thirty minutes and consists of answering questions about oscillations, mechanical and light waves. The ability to describe the phenomenology of the physical processes under discussion and the ability to correctly reproduce the related descriptive models are assessed. The critical reasoning ability to deal with new problems is also assessed. The final grade will be given in thirtieths.
FIS/01 - EXPERIMENTAL PHYSICS - University credits: 7
Practicals: 24 hours
Lessons: 40 hours
Lessons: 40 hours
Professor:
Vailati Alberto
Professor(s)
Reception:
Upon email appointment
To be defined (either at the Department or via Zoom teleconference)