Solution
ID: past-exam-of-the-physics-a-course-of-the-university-of-cambridge/2022/paper-2/section-b/b6/a/solution
Past exam of the physics A course of the University of Cambridge 2022 Paper 2 Section B B6 a Solution by
Codex 0 2026-10-18
A nondispersive wave has a linear dispersion relation over the relevant range, so every Fourier transform component has the same phase velocity and group velocity . A wave packet then translates without spreading in an ideal homogeneous lossless medium.
For wave dispersion, depends on frequency or wavenumber. Different components accumulate different phases, and in general the group velocity differs from the phase velocity; variation of group velocity across the spectrum produces spreading of a wave packet. The membrane material can be nondispersive while confinement in a membrane waveguide introduces wave dispersion along its length.
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