Some Simple Wave Phenomena

Abstract

Inverse scattering is inextricably connected with the subject of waves. In very general terms a wave is a disturbance passing through a medium. In nature, waves are observed as wind passes over water, or through a stand of trees. To understand the ubiquitous nature of waves, consider what happens when we listen to a recorded concert on the radio. The violinist draws a bow across his strings, setting up waves in them; the horn player blows down his instrument, sending sound waves through it; the soprano sends waves up her vocal tract. The sound from the violin, horn and soprano travel as sound waves to the microphone, they excite waves in the membrane and these are converted into electrical waves in the conductor leading to the radio transmitter. The radio waves travel to our radio receiver as electromagnetic waves. Our radio receives these and converts them to electrical and then to sound waves which travel to our ear. They excite our ear drums which then send electrical signals to our brain. We ‘hear’ music!

Article Note

Here will we sit, and let the sounds of music creep in our ears.

The Merchant of Venice. Act V, Scene 1.