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Lecture

Wave Propagation and Doppler Effect

In course

PHYS-201(c): General physics : electromagnetism

Introduction à la mécanique des fluides, à l'électromagnétisme et aux phénomènes ondulatoires. ...

Description

This lecture covers the propagation of sinusoidal plane waves, wave packets, and the Doppler effect for mechanical and electromagnetic waves. It explains concepts such as phase velocity, group speed, and the sensitivity of the human ear to sound waves. The instructor also discusses the Doppler effect in various scenarios, including when the source and observer are in relative motion. Additionally, the lecture delves into Hubble's law and the redshift of emission lines from distant galaxies, providing insights into the expansion of the universe.

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Instructor

Giovanni Boero

Official source

Ontological neighbourhood

Astronomy

Astrophysics: Physical cosmology

Physics

Electromagnetism: Waves

Related concepts (32)

Longitudinal wave

Longitudinal waves are waves in which the vibration of the medium is parallel to the direction the wave travels and displacement of the medium is in the same (or opposite) direction of the wave propagation. Mechanical longitudinal waves are also called compressional or compression waves, because they produce compression and rarefaction when traveling through a medium, and pressure waves, because they produce increases and decreases in pressure.

Surface wave

In physics, a surface wave is a mechanical wave that propagates along the interface between differing media. A common example is gravity waves along the surface of liquids, such as ocean waves. Gravity waves can also occur within liquids, at the interface between two fluids with different densities. Elastic surface waves can travel along the surface of solids, such as Rayleigh or Love waves. Electromagnetic waves can also propagate as "surface waves" in that they can be guided along with a refractive index gradient or along an interface between two media having different dielectric constants.

Transverse wave

In physics, a transverse wave is a wave whose oscillations are perpendicular to the direction of the wave's advance. This is in contrast to a longitudinal wave which travels in the direction of its oscillations. Water waves are an example of transverse wave. A simple example is given by the waves that can be created on a horizontal length of string by anchoring one end and moving the other end up and down. Another example is the waves that are created on the membrane of a drum.

Wave

In physics, mathematics, engineering, and related fields, a wave is a propagating dynamic disturbance (change from equilibrium) of one or more quantities. Waves can be periodic, in which case those quantities oscillate repeatedly about an equilibrium (resting) value at some frequency. When the entire waveform moves in one direction, it is said to be a traveling wave; by contrast, a pair of superimposed periodic waves traveling in opposite directions makes a standing wave.

Mechanical wave

In physics, a mechanical wave is a wave that is an oscillation of matter, and therefore transfers energy through a medium. While waves can move over long distances, the movement of the medium of transmission—the material—is limited. Therefore, the oscillating material does not move far from its initial equilibrium position. Mechanical waves can be produced only in media which possess elasticity and inertia. There are three types of mechanical waves: transverse waves, longitudinal waves, and surface waves.

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