The Physics of Vibrations and Waves

The main theme of this highly successful book is that the transmission of energy by wave propogation is fundamental to almost every branch of physics.  Therefore, besides giving students a thorough grounding in the theory of waves and vibrations, the book also demonstrates the pattern and unity of a large part of physics.

This new edition has been thoroughly revised and has been redeisgned to meet the best contemporary standards.  It includes new material on electron waves in solids using the Kronig–Penney model to show how their allowed energies are limited to Brillouin zones,  The role of phonons is also discussed.  An Optical Transform is used to demonstrate the modern method of lens testing.  In the last two chapters the sections on chaos and solitons have been reduced but their essential contents remain.

As with earlier editions, the book has a large number of problems together with hints on how to solve them.  The Physics of Vibrations and Waves, 6th Edition will prove invaluable for students taking a first full course in the subject across a variety of disciplines particularly physics, engineering and mathematics.

Introduction to First Edition.

Introduction to Second Edition.

Introduction to Third Edition.

Introduction to Fourth Edition.

Introduction to Fifth Edition.

Introduction to Sixth Edition.

1. Simple Harmonic Motion.

2. Damped Simple Harmonic Motion.

3. The Forced Oscillator.

4. Coupled Oscillations.

5. Transverse Wave Motion.

6. Longitudinal Waves.

7. Waves on Transmission Lines.

8. Electromagnetic Waves.

9. Waves in More than One Dimension.

10. Fourier Methods.

11. Waves in Optical Systems.

12. Interference and Diffraction.

13. Wave Mechanics.

14 Non–linear Oscillations and Chaos.

15 Non–linear Waves, Shocks and Solitons.

Appendix 1: Normal Modes, Phase Space and Statistical Physics.

Appendix 2: Kirchhoff s Integral Theorem.

Appendix 3: Non–Linear Schrödinger Equation.

Index.

H. J. Pain is a graduate of the united states Naval Aviation Academy, Florida, and of the Universities of St Andrews, London and Aix Marseilles. He taught physics at Imperial College, London where his research interests were in shock waves and magnetohydrodynamics.

"This is an excellent textbook, full of interesting material clearly explained, and fully worthy of being studied by future contributors ..." ( Journal of Sound and Vibration: 293, July 2006)