This first course serves as an introduction to the physics of waves and light. Upon completion, learners will understand how mathematical laws and conservation principles describe wave propagation and light in the context of both geometrical and physical optics. Learners will gain experience in solving physics problems with tools such as graphical analysis, algebra, vector analysis, and calculus. This first course covers the Wave Equation, Normal Modes, Wave Propagation, and Dispersion. Each of the three modules contains complete video lectures, conceptual quizzes, and a set of homework problems. Once the modules are completed, the course ends with an exam. This comprehensive course is similar in detail and rigor to those taught on-campus at Rice. It will thoroughly prepare learners for their upcoming introductory physics courses or more advanced courses in physics.
Status: Trigonometry
Trigonometry
Status: Vibrations
Vibrations
Intermediate·Course·20 hours
Featured reviews
5.0
·Reviewed Aug 23, 2025
Great course but remove the youtube video questions. Youtube as a medium does not have fine enough controls to calculate some of the pieces we need for the problems. Fireworks in particular
5.0
·Reviewed Sep 7, 2025
Very compelling and a great pathway to explore physics in depth
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G
Guillaume
5.0
·Reviewed Apr 27, 2024
High quality university teaching. All the course is done with a blackboard. One will learn about dispersion in a medium, the wave equation, ... One will understand waves with experiences, simulations and exercises.
J
Jake
5.0
·Reviewed Aug 23, 2025
Great course but remove the youtube video questions. Youtube as a medium does not have fine enough controls to calculate some of the pieces we need for the problems. Fireworks in particular
R
REEMA
5.0
·Reviewed Feb 20, 2025
Best course to understand the wave nature as well as particle nature of light.
I
Ihsan
5.0
·Reviewed Sep 8, 2025
Very compelling and a great pathway to explore physics in depth