The Physics of Oscillations-Waves and Optics

Abstract

This handout presents oscillatory motions, propagation phenomena, and optical phenomena. It is particularly intended for second-year university students in sciences of matter (SM), particularly those in the Chemistry degree program, who are studying the "Physics of Oscillations-Waves and optics" module at the University of Chlef. This document brings together all the material from the lecture notes, as well as some corrected exercises. It has been prepared to minimize the difficulties inherent in scientific language while maintaining the required rigor. In addition, it provides students with benchmarks and the fundamentals of physics. This handout is divided into eight chapters: The first part (Chapters 1 to 4) deals with mechanical vibrations, concentrating on linear oscillators, their oscillation conditions and Lagrange's formalism. It deals with the notions of degrees of freedom and generalized coordinates, and is limited to lowamplitude linear oscillations. The study focuses on systems with one or two degrees of freedom, whose equations of motion are linear, making it possible to analyse phenomena such as resonance and to examine free and forced vibrations, with or without damping. The second part (Chapters 5 and 6) deals with mechanical waves, introducing the fundamental notions of their propagation. The study begins with transverse waves on a string, covering the d'Alembert wave equation, the sinusoidal solution, the speed of the wave and the particle, and impedance. It concludes with the analysis of reflection and transmission coefficients in finite media. Finally, elastic waves in continuous media and acoustic waves in fluids are explored. Finally, the third part (Chapters 7 and 8) deals with geometrical optics and optical instruments. It covers refraction, reflection, dispersion and image formation, as well as devices such as the prism. The study also includes the construction of images in a centered optical system to better comprehend the fundamental principles of optics, such as diopters, mirrors and thin lenses.