Volume 3: Waves, Thermodynamics & Optics

Welcome to Volume 3: Waves, Thermodynamics & Optics. This volume explores wave mechanics, ray and physical optics, and microscopic-to-macroscopic thermal physics.

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Chapters in this Volume

1. 1. Wave Motion & Sound Phenomena
   1D wave differential equation, wave speed on strings and in gases, standing wave resonance in fixed strings & organ pipes, acoustic Doppler effect.

2. 2. Geometrical Optics & Matrix Methods
   Fermat's principle, spherical refraction formula, Lens Maker's equation, silvered lens equivalent systems, prism minimum deviation.

3. 3. Wave Optics, Interference & Diffraction
   Huygens-Fresnel wavelets, Young's Double Slit Experiment (YDSE), dielectric sheet fringe shift, single-slit Fraunhofer diffraction, polarization.

4. 4. Thermal Physics, Conduction & Calorimetry
   Linear/superficial/cubical thermal expansion, Fourier's law of heat conduction, series/parallel composite thermal rods, Stefan-Boltzmann radiation.

5. 5. Kinetic Theory of Gases & Statistical Distributions
   Microscopic pressure derivation, Maxwell-Boltzmann speeds ($v_{\text{rms}},v_{\text{avg}},v_{\text{mp}}$), degrees of freedom, gas mixtures.

6. 6. Thermodynamics & Cyclic Heat Engines
   First Law ($\mathrm{\Delta }Q=\mathrm{\Delta }U+W$), polytropic processes ($P{V}^n=C$), 4-stroke Carnot cycle indicator diagrams, Second Law & entropy.

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Start Reading

Begin with Chapter 1: Wave Motion & Sound Phenomena or jump to Chapter 3: Wave Optics & YDSE.