This first course serves as an introduction to the physics of waves and light. Upon completion, learners will understand how mathematical laws and conservation principles describe wave propagation and light in the context of both geometrical and physical optics. Learners will gain experience in solving physics problems with tools such as graphical analysis, algebra, vector analysis, and calculus. This first course covers the Wave Equation, Normal Modes, Wave Propagation, and Dispersion. Each of the three modules contains complete video lectures, conceptual quizzes, and a set of homework problems. Once the modules are completed, the course ends with an exam. This comprehensive course is similar in detail and rigor to those taught on-campus at Rice. It will thoroughly prepare learners for their upcoming introductory physics courses or more advanced courses in physics.
涵盖的内容
45个视频2篇阅读材料11个作业
显示有关单元内容的信息
45个视频•总计250分钟
Kinematics•6分钟
Oscillator Equation of Motion•4分钟
Secret Mathematical Method•6分钟
Oscillator Solution•5分钟
Initial Conditions Example•4分钟
Natural Frequency Demo•2分钟
The Oscillator Equation•2分钟
Nonlinear•5分钟
Taylor Expansions•8分钟
The Spring of Air Equation•7分钟
Spring of Air Equilibrium•4分钟
The Spring of Air Linearization•5分钟
"Simple" Pendulum•8分钟
Field Trip!•3分钟
Superposition•4分钟
Usefulness of Superposition•6分钟
Complex Superposition•8分钟
The Imaginary Axis•6分钟
The Complex Plane•10分钟
Simple Harmonic Motion in the Complex Plane•5分钟
Superposition in the Complex Plane•6分钟
Superposition Demo•4分钟
Beats by Dr. Hafner•6分钟
Beats Demo•2分钟
Damped Equation of Motion•4分钟
Some Trivial Solutions•5分钟
A Good Solution•8分钟
Light Damping•3分钟
DYI Damping Demo•18分钟
Quality Factor•6分钟
Driven Equation of Motion•3分钟
Steady State Solution•4分钟
Dissecting the Solution•6分钟
Steady State Phase and Amplitude•7分钟
Resonant Amplitude•7分钟
The Resonant Phase•6分钟
Coupled Equations of Motion•8分钟
Normal Modes•4分钟
Normal Mode Solution 1•7分钟
Normal Mode Solution 2•7分钟
Abnormal Solution pt. 1•5分钟
Abnormal Solution pt. 2•5分钟
Abnormal Solution pt. 3 (with Demo)•9分钟
HMNS Pendulum•3分钟
Top Ten Signs It's Time for your Physics Professor to Retire•2分钟
2篇阅读材料•总计20分钟
Course Introduction•10分钟
Grading Philosophy and Advice•10分钟
11个作业•总计146分钟
Oscillators Homework•120分钟
Stable Equilibrium?•2分钟
Another guess•2分钟
Messing with a Mass on a Spring•2分钟
Weird Spring•2分钟
Springdulumania!•4分钟
Straw Poll•2分钟
Sine and Cosine (literally)•4分钟
Count the Modes•2分钟
Mode Energy•2分钟
Beat It•4分钟
Waves I
第 2 单元•小时 后完成
单元详情
涵盖的内容
25个视频8个作业
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25个视频•总计122分钟
Continuum•4分钟
Partial Derivatives•4分钟
Small Segment•7分钟
Curvature•5分钟
Drama•3分钟
Meaning•3分钟
Normal Mode Solutions•4分钟
Clamped String Boundary Conditions•6分钟
Clamped String Normal Modes Demo•10分钟
43 Normal Modes•9分钟
Colorful Normal Modes•1分钟
Normal Mode Parameters•5分钟
Joe Fourier•2分钟
Mathematical Statement•2分钟
The Trick•6分钟
Integrate•5分钟
Evaluate•9分钟
For Visual Learners•5分钟
The Coefficients•3分钟
Sloped String Example I•6分钟
Sloped String Example II•5分钟
Barry Manilow's Fourier Components•4分钟
French's Fourier Foibles•4分钟
Square Pulse Example•6分钟
SPT - The Telekinetic Grad Student•3分钟
8个作业•总计190分钟
Waves I Homework•120分钟
Take a Partial•2分钟
String Shape•30分钟
Quite a String•30分钟
Another Guess•2分钟
Other Frequencies?•2分钟
Wave Properties•2分钟
Guessing Coefficients II•2分钟
Waves II
第 3 单元•小时 后完成
单元详情
涵盖的内容
26个视频5个作业
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26个视频•总计138分钟
Traveling Wave Equation•7分钟
Traveling Wave Solutions•6分钟
Wave Speed•4分钟
Wave Speed Demo•3分钟
The Traveling Pulse•6分钟
Traveling Pulse Boundary Conditions•5分钟
Wave Motion•3分钟
Traveling Pulse a Better Way•6分钟
Traveling Pulse Solution•7分钟
The Stiff String•7分钟
The Dispersion Curve•5分钟
Non-Dispersive Beats•5分钟
Phase and Group Velocities•5分钟
Dispersive Beats•2分钟
Dispersive Group Velocity•5分钟
Lecture 7 - Sound in Air•10分钟
Lecture 8 - Slinky Demo•2分钟
Lecture 1 - A String Interface•5分钟
Lecture 2 - Forces at Interfaces•6分钟
Lecture 3 - Impedance•3分钟
Lecture 4 - Boundary Conditions•7分钟
Lecture 5 - Reflection and Transmission Coefficients•5分钟
Rice University is consistently ranked among the top 20 universities in the U.S. and the top 100 in the world. Rice has highly respected schools of Architecture, Business, Continuing Studies, Engineering, Humanities, Music, Natural Sciences and Social Sciences and is home to the Baker Institute for Public Policy.
Best course to understand the wave nature as well as particle nature of light.
I
IA
5·
已于 Sep 7, 2025审阅
Very compelling and a great pathway to explore physics in depth
J
JS
5·
已于 Aug 23, 2025审阅
Great course but remove the youtube video questions. Youtube as a medium does not have fine enough controls to calculate some of the pieces we need for the problems. Fireworks in particular
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Is financial aid available?
Yes. In select learning programs, you can apply for financial aid or a scholarship if you can’t afford the enrollment fee. If fin aid or scholarship is available for your learning program selection, you’ll find a link to apply on the description page.