One of the most fundamental and ubiquitous phenomena in nature, accompanying every moment of our lives and providing insight into the workings of the world, is wave motion. This course opens a window to understanding the world of waves, focusing on their basic characteristics – their modes of propagation and spatial movement, as well as the factors dictating this behavior.

We will deepen our familiarity with various natural phenomena characterized by diverse types of waves – some familiar, such as ocean waves, sound waves interpreted as hearing, and light waves interpreted as vision, and others less familiar, like seismic waves or earthquakes. We will expand the circle of wave phenomena to discuss heartbeats, clock ticking, Earth's rotation, stellar motion, and more. Subsequently, we will broaden the discussion in the realm of sound waves, through which we will comprehend the world of music with its harmonies, tones, and overtones. We will investigate what component alters a sound to be pleasant or grating, and why different instruments produce distinct sounds.

In this manner, we will also explore the mechanism of human hearing, and in a similar context, discuss the field of vision and visual range in terms of waves. We will compare the auditory and visual capabilities of humans to those of various animals, and examine the importance of interspecies differences for their survival.

We will continue by presenting another crucial property of waves – interference and its implications.

Finally, we will discuss the significant applications of waves in everyday life and in familiar technologies – radio and cellular communication, sonar and radar, telescopes, and various observational instruments.

* The course material will be tailored to the age of the learners.