RES.8-009 | Summer 2017 | High School

Introduction to Oscillations and Waves

Course Description

Introduction to Oscillations and Waves covers the basic mathematics and physics of oscillatory and wave phenomena. By the end of the course, students should be able to explain why oscillations appear in many near equilibrium systems, the various mathematical properties of those oscillations in various contexts, how …

Introduction to Oscillations and Waves covers the basic mathematics and physics of oscillatory and wave phenomena. By the end of the course, students should be able to explain why oscillations appear in many near equilibrium systems, the various mathematical properties of those oscillations in various contexts, how oscillations and waves are related, and the basic mathematical description and properties of a wave.

This course was offered as part of MITES Summer, a six-week, residential STEM experience for rising high school seniors. MIT Introduction to Technology, Engineering, and Science (MITES) provides transformative experiences that bolster confidence, create lifelong community, and build an exciting, challenging foundation in STEM for highly motivated 7th–12th grade students from diverse and underrepresented backgrounds.

Learning Resource Types
Lecture Notes
Problem Sets with Solutions
Exams with Solutions
Instructor Insights
A person sitting on a swing with labels of "Push here" and "Not here".
By modeling a person being pushed on a swing as a forced oscillator, we discover that the best point at which to push the person is at the bottom of the swing rather than at the top as is more commonly done. (Image courtesy of Dr. Mobolaji Williams.)