Lecture 10: Traveling Waves

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Lecture Topics

  • Vibrating string
  • Wave equation
  • Traveling wave

Lecture Video: Traveling Waves

Prof. Lee introduces the traveling wave solution of the wave equation. He also shows the string “remembers” the shape of the traveling wave though energy stored in the form of kinematic energy.

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Lecture Notes

This resource may not render correctly in a screen reader.Typed Notes for Lecture 10 (PDF - 1.9MB)

This resource may not render correctly in a screen reader.Handwritten Notes for Lecture 10 (PDF - 2.4MB)

Textbook Reading

Chapter 6: Continuum Limit and Fourier Series (PDF - 1.2MB) (section 6.2 to end) 

Chapter 7: Longitudinal Oscillations and Sound (PDF - 1.3MB) 

Chapter 8: Traveling Waves (PDF - 1.4MB) (through section 8.2) 

In-class Demonstrations

HOW IT'S DONE SEE IT IN THE LECTURE
Bell Labs Wave Machine (Mismatched Impedance) @ 00:27:32, @ 00:48:48, and @ 01:08:18

Related Resources

Video: Traveling wave with mismatched impedance (Bell Machine) by TSG@MIT Physics

Video: Superposition of waves with Bell Machine by TSG@MIT Physics

Video: Reflection with Bell machine by TSG@MIT Physics

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