Vibrations and Waves is an introduction to studying vibrations and waves, focusing on mechanical systems. So, a good working knowledge of elementary kinematics and dynamics is advised. The decision to limit the book’s scope this way was guided by the fact that the presentation is quantitative and analytical rather than descriptive.
The temptation to incorporate discussions of electrical and optical systems was always strong. Still, a great part of the subject’s language could be developed most simply and straightforwardly in mechanical displacements and scalar wave equations, with only an occasional allusion to other systems.
