Demonstrating dispersion relations with a classical system
Presentation Type
Presentation
Full Name of Faculty Mentor
Scott Carr, Physics and Engineering Science
Major
Applied Physics
Presentation Abstract
A dispersion relation shows how a frequency depends on wavelength in a medium, which is a useful relationship in both quantum and classical physics, or anywhere a wave phenomenon exists. This is a well-known relationship in physics, but since wave phenomena in quantum and classical physics are invisible, the demonstrations of wave dispersion are usually abstract. This project is a demonstration of the typically abstract phenomena of wave dispersions in classical and quantum physics, using a system of coupled harmonic oscillators where the wave dispersion is visible and measurable. When a series of several harmonic oscillators are coupled, they can replicate the behavior of different wave systems by yielding a spectrum of resonant frequencies. By measuring these resonant frequencies and finding the wavelength of the oscillations, a dispersion relation can be found.
Start Date
13-4-2023 2:40 PM
End Date
13-4-2023 3:00 PM
Disciplines
Physics
Recommended Citation
Kynard, Jainah, "Demonstrating dispersion relations with a classical system" (2023). Undergraduate Research Competition. 110.
https://digitalcommons.coastal.edu/ugrc/2023/fullconference/110
Demonstrating dispersion relations with a classical system
A dispersion relation shows how a frequency depends on wavelength in a medium, which is a useful relationship in both quantum and classical physics, or anywhere a wave phenomenon exists. This is a well-known relationship in physics, but since wave phenomena in quantum and classical physics are invisible, the demonstrations of wave dispersion are usually abstract. This project is a demonstration of the typically abstract phenomena of wave dispersions in classical and quantum physics, using a system of coupled harmonic oscillators where the wave dispersion is visible and measurable. When a series of several harmonic oscillators are coupled, they can replicate the behavior of different wave systems by yielding a spectrum of resonant frequencies. By measuring these resonant frequencies and finding the wavelength of the oscillations, a dispersion relation can be found.