UCSCIPHY147.5 ECTSEnglishBachelor
Introduction to Wave Phenomena in Nature
Faculteit—
NiveauBachelor
Studiejaar2026-2027
Beschrijving
Course goals
- describe the different types of wave phenomena in mechanics, electromagnetism and in gravity (space-time), as well as the properties of the medium that supports them;
- calculate the propagation of a wave and its reflection and transmission at the boundary between two media;
- solve simple problems involving wave phenomena such as dispersion, refraction, the Doppler effect and polarisation, and give examples of them from daily experiences;
- explain and calculate the patterns (visual or auditive) produced by the interference and diffraction of waves;
- demonstrate analytical problem-solving skills and more fundamental understanding related to practical applications of wave phenomena ranging from the study of the interior of the human body, topography and astronomy;
- explain how wave phenomena were central to gather information about the temperature and chemical composition of distant stars, and the expansion of our universe;
- describe the evolution of stars that end up as a white dwarf, neutron star or black hole, and explain how gravitational waves are produced in a merger of two compact stars;
- explain the large scale structure of the universe and how it related to the anisotropies in the cosmic microwave background.
| Description of assignment | Assesses course aims: |
| Mid-term exam Assignments Exercises Portfolio Final exam |
1, 2, 3, 5 b) 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8 5, 6, 7 4, 6, 7, 8 |
Content
In this course you are introduced to several types of wave phenomena in nature. Three main types of waves are studied: mechanical waves (as in air, fluids and solids), electromagnetic waves (as in light and radio waves), and gravitational waves (space-time). Waves of several types are used in many scanning devises used in medicine and earth sciences for instance, and most of the technology in telecommunications common in our households uses electromagnetic waves.
Several properties and phenomena associated with waves (such as longitudinal and transverse wave modes, polarisation, dispersion, reflection, transmission and interference) are studied during the first two-thirds of this course and several applications are discussed. In the final third, you are introduced to astronomy and learn about how the information transmitted by waves coming from galactic (in the Milky Way) and extra-galactic sources, made it possible to build up knowledge about the vast universe we live in.
Format
Several properties and phenomena associated with waves (such as longitudinal and transverse wave modes, polarisation, dispersion, reflection, transmission and interference) are studied during the first two-thirds of this course and several applications are discussed. In the final third, you are introduced to astronomy and learn about how the information transmitted by waves coming from galactic (in the Milky Way) and extra-galactic sources, made it possible to build up knowledge about the vast universe we live in.
The course consists of four weekly contact hours, over 15 weeks, which are equally divided between interactive lectures and problem solving tutorial sessions.
For each lecture and tutorial you have to read and work through assigned material. This includes completing assignments from the teaching and learning platform MasteringPhysics, and explore the properties of waves by using virtual simulations of wave phenomena (https://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulations/category/physics). With this approach more time is used during class on discussing and understanding the subtleties of physical concepts necessary for concept-based problem solving, and less time is given to simple lecturer-to-students transfer of knowledge and ideas. When relevant the discussions are carried out in the context of real applications. Outside the four class hours a week, students are expected to study 10 hours a week on average on this course.
For each lecture and tutorial you have to read and work through assigned material. This includes completing assignments from the teaching and learning platform MasteringPhysics, and explore the properties of waves by using virtual simulations of wave phenomena (https://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulations/category/physics). With this approach more time is used during class on discussing and understanding the subtleties of physical concepts necessary for concept-based problem solving, and less time is given to simple lecturer-to-students transfer of knowledge and ideas. When relevant the discussions are carried out in the context of real applications. Outside the four class hours a week, students are expected to study 10 hours a week on average on this course.
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