In the Waves Paradigm, we study waves in one dimension, beginning with classical wave phenomena (waves on ropes, electrical circuits) and following with waves in quantum systems. We introduce the basic language to describe waves, and consider standing and traveling waves, wave packets and dispersion, and superposition. We explore energy transmission, reflection and transmission at sharp boundaries, and impedance. The course features an integrated laboratory where students study the propagation of a voltage pulse in a coaxial cable, several small-group problem solving activities, and an interactive in-class demonstration to study standing waves and to introduce the concept of a dispersion relation. (more...)

Paradigms in Physics: Quantum Mechanics—-a textbook that follows the paradigms approach. The chapters that are relevant to the Waves course are:

5. Particles and Waves

6. Quantized Energies:Particle in a Box

7. Wave Packets and Scattering States

Winter 2008

Sample Content Order

• Dispersion Relation for Waves on a String (Interactive Demo)

• Using Initial Conditions to Specify Analytic Wave Solutions (Small Group Activity)

• Energy Density of Waves on a String (Small Group Activity)

• Wave Propagation in a Coaxial Cable (Laboratory Activity)

• Operators and Functions (Small Group Activity)

• Solution to Schrödinger's Equation for a Finite Well (Small Group Activity)

• Time Evolution of Infinite Well Solutions (Maple Worksheet/ Small Group Activity)

• Time Evolution of a Gaussian Wave Packet (Maple Worksheet/ Small White Board Question)