Introduction

Why Waves & Acoustics in JavaScript?

Waves are everywhere — sound, light, seismic activity, quantum probability amplitudes. Acoustics in particular is tangible: you can hear the results of your computations. JavaScript's Web Audio API lets you play tones, demonstrate beats, and sweep Doppler shifts directly in the browser.

  • Wave Fundamentals — Period, speed, wavelength, and temperature-dependent sound speed
  • Intensity & Perception — The inverse-square law, decibel scale, acoustic beats, and the Doppler effect
  • Standing Waves & Resonance — String harmonics, open and closed pipe modes, and wave superposition
  • Room Acoustics — Sabine's reverberation formula, sound power levels, and acoustic reflection coefficients

Physics You Can Hear

Each lesson includes working Web Audio code so you can hear what you are computing — beats pulsing at the frequency you calculate, Doppler sweeps, the hollow timbre of odd harmonics, constructive and destructive interference. Physics becomes tangible when it makes sound.

Prerequisites

Basic JavaScript (functions, Math, console.log). No prior acoustics knowledge required — every concept is introduced from first principles.

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