48 of 48 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Basic mathematics and clear-headed views of wave physics, May 29, 1999
This volume is the clearest discussion I've seen of the behavior of waves and vibration. The text is accompanied by first-year mathematical physics, and very well done diagrams and graphs. An over-all admirable achievement. I took this course from Prof. French in 1965, when it was first taught at M.I.T., and the perceptual clarity of his lectures are preserved in the text. The development of the book moves logically from simple vibration to progressive waves and wave interaction with boundaries. After this book, you're ready for the great book on Optics, by Hecht, or, perhaps Ando's Architectural Acoustics. Two other volumes by French are also available: (i) Newtonian Mechanics, which is a beautiful blend of classical physics, concept discussion, and history of science, and (ii) Special Relativity, which I recommend to friends who have been confused by Einstein's theory, and invariably they tell me this book is the best they've read, and their relativistic headache's just simply gone!
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49 of 50 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Invaluable reference on a fundamental natural phenomenon, August 4, 2000
Oscillatory function is at the root of all natural phenomena. Comprehending this behavior as a mathematically pure process is a basis through which countless aspects of the sciences and the arts can be explained, described, and even creatively elaborated upon. The effects of the physical manifestation of waves, and the inevitable complexities resulting from their interaction with the environment, are essential considerations as well.
The pages of this work are information-dense, providing physical, geometric, and mathematical descriptions of vibrations. Introducing the sine-wave, vectors and complex-exponentials as the fundamentals of periodic motion, the topics then progress to combining vibrations, masses and springs, harmonic and torsional oscillation, forced vibrations, coupled oscillators, Fourier analysis, orthogonal functions, energy transporting, decay of free vibrations, nuclear and optical resonance, diffraction and inference patterns to briefly name but a few. Physical considerations and methods are discussed in detail as well, and exercises at the end of each chapter indicate what the reader is expected to have extracted from each section [selected answers are provided].
The text within each section is written in an extremely clear, systematic and enthusiastic manner and speaks to an intelligent, inquisitive beginner of the subject matter. The numerous excellent black-and-white illustrations diagrams and photographs supplement the written descriptions admirably. The typefaces and even the feel of the paper of the book are high quality and elegant.
This is an introductory work regarding oscillatory analysis, however some mathematical knowledge is assumed by implication. Within the first 15 pages alone are equations which include derivatives, vectors, polar coordinates, complex numbers, and infinite series. It is probably best treated as a supplementary work to an on-going effort in mathematics, the natural sciences, or engineering. Essentially a good foundation in calculus should be sufficient. Given such background so as to understand the crucial mathematics, this work provides an incredible array and range of topics. The preface indicates that this series, by MIT Press, was established to assist in the educational process specifically, and it was tested and evaluated with this objective. As such this book is inherently a supplementary work, and prepares the reader for further research in and comprehension of an incredible range of subjects. Quantum physics, music, human movement, engineering disciplines, the natural sciences, astronomy and more have oscillation as a common thread and basis of understanding. The mechanics of the vibrational processes underlying all of these are elaborated upon to an amazing level of detail and precision within this work.
This book gets my highest recommendation for the focused subject matter it so eloquently and successfully discusses.
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13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great for beginners, May 15, 2005
I used this textbook in a freshman physics course, and it was an invaluable introduction to the concepts of vibrations and waves. The book is mathematically rigorous, without being overbearing. The concepts are developed clearly, the exercises range from simple calculations to somewhat difficult conceptual problems, and the book covers a lot of ground.
I'd say that this book is invaluable for providing the background necessary for quantuam mechanics, and further study in physics.
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