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Fundamentals of waves and vibrations

Emmanuel de Langre, Olivier Doaré, and Jean François Semblat

See our course teaser on http://goo.gl/SU25sF

Waves are everywhere. On water of course, but also in the air as you hear a plane, and under your feet during an earthquake certainly. Vibrations, too, are everywhere In your bike as you go over a bump, in you guitar as you play, and of course in your smartphone. You can guess that there is something in common behind all this. This is exactly the purpose of this course !

So if you want to understand better waves and vibrations, and the relation between them and to use that knowledge in your field, this MOOC is for you. We are going to consider any possible domains of applications such as civil engineering, aerospace engineering, plant biomechanics, and many others ! This is why we called the course “fundamentals of waves and vibrations”. There are so many phenomena and so many models that we need to work with you on the basic mechanisms . We look forward to see you in the course, and work together !

See also our related course on the couplings between fluids and solids at www.coursera.org/learn/fluid-solid-interaction, with the course teaser on http://goo.gl/YKSMnD

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What's inside

Syllabus

SIMPLE WAVES

Presentation of the models of continuous systems and application for non-dispersive waves

COMPLEX WAVES

Introduction to non-dispersive waves and their properties

MODES

How combining waves with boundary conditions leads to the existence of particular solutions, modes.

MORE MODES

The concept of modes is now applied to a large variety of systems, both fluids and solids

OSCILLATORS

The response of the oscillator to any type of forcing is explored, as a generic model of modal response.

DYNAMICS USING MODES

Using the knowledge on the oscillator dynamics from the previous week, the response of general systems is built by modal recomposition

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Students with background knowledge in engineering, plant biomechanics, and aerospace engineering will find this course particularly relevant to their field

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Reviews summary

Introductory vibrations and waves

According to students, Fundamentals of waves and vibrations is a well received course earning it an average rating of 4.8/5 stars from 48 reviews. Learners say this engaging course provides a clear and concise introduction to the nature of waves and vibrations. Many students found the course easy to learn while others commented on the difficult quizzes. Overall, students remarked on the excellent teaching, great course material, and its practical applications.

Instructors are knowledgeable and enthusiastic.

"Excellent teaching"

"Absolutely wonderful course. I love the enthusiasm of the teachers."

"Thank you for your efforts in the course."

Course relates concepts to real-world applications.

"Excellent. Combined well-documented lectures that presented the principles and relevant equations with experiment demonstrations and research illustrating the practical application of those principles."

"The course material is clearly explained by the three instructors. The lab sessions are highly interesting to get a feeling for real world dynamics."

"Merci!"

Course material is well-organized and informative.

"A well designed and nicely explained lectures."

"Excellent material. Enjoyed the last quiz the most."

"The course provided me with a clear and concise insight about waves and vibrations."

Quizzes can be challenging.

"Quiz problems were not related to lectures. Instructors seemed rushed"

"The course covers interesting topics but unfortunately some important parts are covered very quickly and i lost in formulas."

"The quizzes are rather poorly composed, as they are hardly supported by the theory of the course, and there is also no description of the solutions to them."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Fundamentals of waves and vibrations with these activities:

Review Newton's Laws of Motion

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Refreshes essential physics principles necessary for understanding waves and vibrations.

Browse courses on Newton's Laws

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Read through your notes or textbook chapters on Newton's Laws
Solve a few practice problems involving the application of Newton's Laws

Revise Waves and Vibrations Concepts

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Reinforce the foundational concepts of waves and vibrations to strengthen your understanding of the course material.

Browse courses on Waves

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Review lecture notes and course readings to refresh your understanding of waves and vibrations.
Solve practice problems and challenges related to wave equations, boundary conditions, and wave propagation.

Collaborate on Wave Problem Solving

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Engage in group discussions and problem-solving exercises to reinforce concepts and foster collaboration.

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Form study groups to solve challenging wave problems together.
Present findings to the group, discussing solution strategies and insights gained.

Five other activities

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Show all eight activities

Delve into Wave Propagation

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Supplement your theoretical knowledge by exploring practical applications and simulations of wave propagation.

Browse courses on Wave Propagation

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Watch online tutorials to visualize how waves propagate in different mediums.
Participate in interactive simulations to explore wave phenomena and their characteristics.

Mentor Junior Students in Wave Studies

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Enhance your understanding by sharing your knowledge and guiding others in their exploration of waves and vibrations.

Browse courses on Wave Phenomena

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Volunteer as a mentor in programs or online forums dedicated to wave studies.
Provide guidance, support, and encouragement to junior students or learners interested in waves.

Develop a Wave Visualizer

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Create a custom tool to visualize and analyze waves, enhancing your understanding of wave properties and behavior.

Browse courses on Data Representation

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Choose a programming language.
Write code to generate and manipulate wave data.
Design an intuitive user interface to control wave parameters.

Contribute to Wave-Related Open Source Projects

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Gain practical experience and contribute to the wider wave research community through open source contributions.

Browse courses on Open Source

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Identify open source projects related to waves and vibrations.
Collaborate with developers to improve or enhance existing code.

Develop a Wave-Based Solution for a Real-World Problem

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Apply your knowledge to solve real-world problems using wave-based technologies, reinforcing your understanding and innovation skills.

Browse courses on Problem-Solving

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Identify a real-world problem that can be addressed using wave-based solutions.
Design and develop a wave-based solution to address the problem.
Present your solution to peers or industry experts for feedback and evaluation.

Career center

Learners who complete Fundamentals of waves and vibrations will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Acoustician

Acousticians study the properties of sound and its interactions with the environment. They use their knowledge to design and build sound systems, reduce noise pollution, and improve hearing health. This course would be helpful for Acousticians because it provides a solid foundation in the fundamentals of waves and vibrations. This knowledge can be applied to a variety of problems in acoustics, such as those involving noise control, architectural acoustics, and underwater acoustics.

See salaries and explore the career path for Acoustician

Meteorologist

Meteorologists study the atmosphere and its interactions with the Earth's surface. They use their knowledge to forecast the weather, track storms, and develop new technologies for weather modification. This course would be helpful for Meteorologists because it provides a solid foundation in the fundamentals of waves and vibrations. This knowledge can be applied to a variety of problems in meteorology, such as those involving atmospheric waves, turbulence, and climate modeling.

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Biophysicist

Biophysicists study the physical properties of biological systems. They use their knowledge to understand the structure and function of cells, tissues, and organs. This course would be helpful for Biophysicists because it provides a solid foundation in the fundamentals of waves and vibrations. This knowledge can be applied to a variety of problems in biophysics, such as those involving protein dynamics, membrane biophysics, and cell mechanics.

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Engineer

Engineers design, build, and maintain structures and machines. They use their knowledge of science and mathematics to solve problems and develop new technologies. This course would be helpful for Engineers because it provides a solid foundation in the fundamentals of waves and vibrations. This knowledge can be applied to a variety of problems in engineering, such as those involving structural analysis, fluid dynamics, and acoustics.

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Geophysicist

Geophysicists study the Earth's physical properties and processes. They use their knowledge to understand the Earth's structure, history, and dynamics. This course would be helpful for Geophysicists because it provides a solid foundation in the fundamentals of waves and vibrations. This knowledge can be applied to a variety of problems in geophysics, such as those involving seismology, oceanography, and atmospheric science.

See salaries and explore the career path for Geophysicist

Oceanographer

Oceanographers study the oceans and their interactions with the atmosphere and land. They use their knowledge to understand the ocean's role in the Earth's climate system and to develop new technologies for ocean exploration and exploitation. This course would be helpful for Oceanographers because it provides a solid foundation in the fundamentals of waves and vibrations. This knowledge can be applied to a variety of problems in oceanography, such as those involving wave propagation, ocean currents, and underwater acoustics.

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Bioengineer

Bioengineers apply the principles of engineering to the design and development of medical devices and technologies. They use their knowledge to create new solutions for problems in healthcare, such as those involving tissue engineering, drug delivery, and medical imaging. This course would be helpful for Bioengineers because it provides a solid foundation in the fundamentals of waves and vibrations. This knowledge can be applied to a variety of problems in bioengineering, such as those involving biomechanics, ultrasound imaging, and microfluidics.

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Mathematician

Mathematicians study patterns and relationships in numbers, shapes, and other abstract concepts. They use their knowledge to solve problems and develop new theories. This course would be helpful for Mathematicians because it provides a solid foundation in the fundamentals of waves and vibrations. This knowledge can be applied to a variety of problems in mathematics, such as those involving fluid dynamics, elasticity, and acoustics.

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Physicist

Physicists study the laws of nature and the universe. They use their knowledge to develop new technologies and solve problems in fields such as energy, medicine, and materials science. This course would be helpful for Physicists because it provides a solid foundation in the fundamentals of waves and vibrations. This knowledge can be applied to a variety of problems in physics, such as those involving acoustics, optics, and electromagnetism.

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Operations Research Analyst

Operations Research Analysts develop and apply analytical techniques to solve problems in business and industry. They use their knowledge of mathematics, statistics, and computer science to improve efficiency and productivity. This course may be helpful for Operations Research Analysts because it provides a solid foundation in the fundamentals of waves and vibrations. This knowledge can be applied to a variety of problems in operations research, such as those involving scheduling, inventory management, and supply chain optimization.

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Statistician

Statisticians collect, analyze, and interpret data to extract insights and make predictions. They use their knowledge of mathematics, statistics, and computer science to solve problems and develop new technologies. This course may be helpful for Statisticians because it provides a solid foundation in the fundamentals of waves and vibrations. This knowledge can be applied to a variety of problems in statistics, such as those involving time series analysis, signal processing, and machine learning.

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Financial Analyst

Financial Analysts study financial markets and make recommendations on投资. They use their knowledge of mathematics, statistics, and economics to analyze data and develop investment strategies. This course may be helpful for Financial Analysts because it provides a solid foundation in the fundamentals of waves and vibrations. This knowledge can be applied to a variety of problems in financial analysis, such as those involving time series analysis, risk assessment, and portfolio optimization.

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Computer Scientist

Computer Scientists design, develop, and maintain computer systems and software. They use their knowledge of mathematics, science, and engineering to solve problems and develop new technologies. This course may be helpful for Computer Scientists because it provides a solid foundation in the fundamentals of waves and vibrations. This knowledge can be applied to a variety of problems in computer science, such as those involving signal processing, image processing, and computer graphics.

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Data Scientist

Data Scientists collect, analyze, and interpret data to extract insights and make predictions. They use their knowledge of mathematics, statistics, and computer science to solve problems and develop new technologies. This course may be helpful for Data Scientists because it provides a solid foundation in the fundamentals of waves and vibrations. This knowledge can be applied to a variety of problems in data science, such as those involving time series analysis, signal processing, and machine learning.

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Teacher

Teachers develop and deliver lesson plans to educate students in various subjects. They use their knowledge of pedagogy and content to create engaging and effective learning experiences. This course may be helpful for Teachers because it provides a solid foundation in the fundamentals of waves and vibrations. This knowledge can be applied to a variety of teaching situations, such as those involving physics, engineering, and mathematics.

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Reading list

We've selected 14 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Fundamentals of waves and vibrations.