wave number


noun

the number of waves in one centimeter of light in a given wavelength; the reciprocal of the wavelength.

Origin of wave number

First recorded in 1900–05

British Dictionary definitions for wave number

wave number

noun

physics the reciprocal of the wavelength of a wave Symbol: ν, σ

Scientific definitions for wave number

wave number

The number of wave cycles per unit distance for a wave of a given wavelength.