FYS2130 – Oscillations and Waves

Course content

The course offers an introduction to mechanical and electrical oscillations and a description of related phenomena like resonance. It introduces mechanical and electromagnetic waves, and explores different wave phenomena like phase and group velocity, standing and propagating waves, coherence, diffraction and interference, reflection, refraction, dispersion, and simple geometric optics. The course also includes an introduction to oscillation and wave analysis using Fourier and Wavelet transformations. The course includes many example of how the physics are used to describe sound-, light and water-phenomena observable in daily life.

Learning outcome

After completing this course, you are able to:

• recognize and use a mathematical oscillator equation and wave equation, and derive these equations for certain systems, point out the limitations, and are able to refer to very different solutions of identical oscillator equations due to different initial and boundary conditions.
• explain how several waves or parts of waves interact and be able to calculate and analyze diffraction and interference phenomena and explain the conditions required for such phenomena to appear.
• derive a descriptions of light waves from Maxwell's equations, and examine different forms of polarization
• describe and calculate what happens when waves move from one medium to another and are able to explain dispersion and group and phase velocity.
• use geometric optics, including the lens maker formula, to describe and explain optical instruments
• use both analytical mathematics and numerical methods to explore the subjects mentioned above. In particular, you are able to analyze experimental oscillator or wave phenomena, such as sound, using suitable methods.
• perform frequency analysis of sampled sound and other time seires using the discrete Fourier Transform (FFT)
• gather relevant information by yourself, and seek help from others to solve an extensive assignment where all necessary information is not supplied.
• write a thorough project report describing the topic, the methods used, results, and conclusions clearly.

Admission to the course

Students who are admitted to study programmes at UiO must each semester register which courses and exams they wish to sign up for in Studentweb.

Special admission requirements

In addition to fulfilling the Higher Education Entrance Qualification, applicants have to meet the following special admission requirements:

• Mathematics R1 (or Mathematics S1 and S2) + R2

And in addition one of these:

• Physics (1+2)
• Chemistry (1+2)
• Biology (1+2)
• Information technology (1+2)
• Geosciences (1+2)
• Technology and theories of research (1+2)

The special admission requirements may also be covered by equivalent studies from Norwegian upper secondary school or by other equivalent studies (in Norwegian).

Recommended previous knowledge

• MAT1100 – Calculus
• MAT1110 – Calculus and Linear Algebra
• MAT1120 – Linear Algebra
• MAT-INF1100 – Modelling and Computations
• IN1900 – Introduction to Programming with Scientific Applications
• FYS-MEK1110 – Mechanics
• FYS1120 – Electromagnetism

Overlapping courses

• 3 credits overlap with FYS111.

Teaching

Attendance at the first lecture and the first group session is mandatory. If you are unable to attend, the Department has to be informed in advance (e-mail studieinfo@fys.uio.no), or else you will lose your place in the course!

The course extends over a full semester with 9 hours of teaching per week:

• 3 hours of lectures
• 2 hours of group sessions
• 4 hours of problem-solving which includes help with the computational essay

The course comprises the following obligatory activities:

• 6 compulsory assignments
• A project, written up as a "Computational essay"

Participation in group sessions throughout the semester (at least 70 %) can replace one compulsory assignment. 

5 of 6 assignments (4 of 6 by the participation on at least 70 % of group sessions) and the computational essay must be approved before you can sit the final exam.

Regulations for mandatory assignments can be found here.

Examination

• Final written exam, 4 hours, which counts 100 % towards the final grade.

This course has mandatory exercises that must be approved before you can sit for the final exam

Examination support material

• The textbook for the course, A. I. Vistnes, Physics of Oscilliations and Waves: With use of Matlab and Python" will be available as a resource (as a .pdf file) in Inpera. Note that you are NOT allowed to bring the book with you and use this instead of the .pdf file in Inspera.
• 1 A4 sheet of paper with handwritten notes (both sides of the sheet)
• Rottman: "Matematisk formelsamling"
• Øgrim og Lian eller Angell og Lian: "Fysiske størrelser og enheter"
• Approved calculator
• Ruler

Language of examination

The examination text is given in Norwegian. You may submit your response in Norwegian, Swedish, Danish or English

Grading scale

Grades are awarded on a scale from A to F, where A is the best grade and F is a fail. Read more about the grading system.

Resit an examination

Students who can document a valid reason for absence from the regular examination are offered a postponed exam at the beginning of the next semester.

New examinations are offered at the beginning of the next semester for students who do not successfully complete the exam during the previous semester.

We do not offer a re-scheduled exam for students who withdraw during the exam.

More about examinations at UiO

• Use of sources and citations
• Special exam arrangements due to individual needs
• Withdrawal from an exam
• Illness at exams / postponed exams
• Explanation of grades and appeals
• Resitting an exam
• Cheating/attempted cheating

You will find further guides and resources at the web page on examinations at UiO.