Graphical representations of one-dimensional wave pulses and their interactions with boundaries

Wave propagation is the transfer of energy through a medium without bulk motion of the matter of the medium. The teaching of elementary wave propagation is a worthy educational goal. Graphical models are presented to assist the physical understanding and interpretation of wave propagation in one-dimensional mechanical elements. Wave models for square, triangular, and sinusoidal wave pulses are illustrated for transverse and longitudinal particle displacements, reflection at clamped and free boundaries, and transmission and reflection at interfaces between media. These models should enhance the understanding of these elementary concepts.

Department dc:contributor.department

Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Department of Mechanical Engineering.

Grantor dc:publisher

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Year dc:date.issued

2014

Author dc:creator

• AbuShirbi, Ayman S

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• James H. Williams, Jr.

• Mechanical Engineering.

Statement dc:rights

• M.I.T. theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from this source for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written permission. See provided URL for inquiries about permission.

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/7582

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/92662

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:dspace.mit.edu:1721.1/92662