wave number
Plural
wave numbers
1
the spatial frequency of a wave, representing the number of wavelengths per unit distance
- The wave number of a light wave in vacuum is calculated as the inverse of its wavelength.
- Infrared spectroscopy uses wave numbers to measure the energy levels and vibrations of molecules.
- X-ray diffraction studies use wave numbers to determine the spacing between crystal lattice planes.
- The wave number in spectroscopy is expressed in reciprocal centimeters (cm⁻¹).
- Quantum mechanics employs wave numbers to describe the momentum of particles in wave-like phenomena.