Waves waves waves

Dear Students our last topic for 2009 is waves.

This is one of those topics where understanding the jargon is a key to success.

Some of the jargon (I mean key words and terms) you need to have some comprehension of include:

• light
• sound
• electromagnetic
• spectrum
• reflection
• refraction
• diffraction
• interference
• resonance
• constructive
• destructive
• curved
• mirrors
• lenses
• critical angle
• boundary
• frequency
• amplitude
• velocity
• wavelength
• pulse
• superposition

One of the most famous incidents involving resonance is featured in the clip below showing the collapse and ultimate destruction of the Tacoma Narrows Bridge.

The millennium Bridge another classic of engineering skill.