Printer Friendly
Dictionary, Encyclopedia and Thesaurus - The Free Dictionary
3,919,660,883 visitors served.
forum Join the Word of the Day Mailing List For webmasters
?
Dictionary/
thesaurus
Medical
dictionary
Legal
dictionary
Financial
dictionary
Acronyms
 
Idioms
Encyclopedia
Wikipedia
encyclopedia
?

wavelength
(redirected from wave number)

   Also found in: Dictionary/thesaurus, Acronyms, Encyclopedia, Wikipedia 0.01 sec.
wavelength /wave·length/ (λ) (wāv´length) the distance between the top of one wave and the identical phase of the succeeding one
wave·length (wvlngkth, -lngth)
n.
Symbol The distance between one peak or crest of a wave of light, heat, or other energy and the next corresponding peak or crest.

wavelength,
the distance between a given point on one wave cycle and the corresponding point on the next successive wave cycle. A pure color is produced by light of a specific wavelength. Electromagnetic waves of different wavelengths account for many of the transmission characteristics of radio and television.

wavelength [wāv´length]
the distance between the top of one wave and the identical phase of the succeeding one in the advance of waves of radiant energy.

wavelength,
n the distance between the peaks of waves in any wave form, such as light, roentgen rays, and other electromotive forms. In electromagnetic radiation, the wavelength is equal to the velocity of light divided by the frequency of the wave.
wavelength, effective,
n the wavelength that would produce the same penetration as an average of the various wavelengths in a heterogeneous bundle of roentgen rays.

wavelength
the distance between the top of one wave and the identical phase of the succeeding one in the advance of waves of radiant energy.

wavelength 
Distance in the direction of propagation of a periodic wave between two successive points at the same position in the wave (e.g. the distance between two crests). Symbol: λ. Note 1: The wavelength in a medium is equal to the wavelength in vacuum divided by the refractive index of the medium. Unless otherwise stated, values of wavelength are generally those in air. The refractive index of standard air (15ºC, 101 325 N/m2) lies between 1.00027 and 1.00029 for visible radiations. Note 2: The reciprocal of the wavelength is called the wave number. Note 3: The wavelength is longer for red light than for blue light. Wavelength λ is equal to
λ = c/v
where c is the velocity of light and v is the frequency of light. (Fig. W1) See fluorescence; infrared; interferometer; light; phase; Bezold-Brücke phenomenon; electromagnetic spectrum; ultraviolet; wave theory.
Fig. W1 Wavelength of light in air and in a medium of refractive index n 1 and n 2 , respectively (λ 2 = λ 1 / n 2 )enlarge picture
Fig. W1 Wavelength of light in air and in a medium of refractive index n1 and n2, respectively (λ2 = λ1/n2)


Want to thank TFD for its existence? Tell a friend about us, add a link to this page, add the site to iGoogle, or visit the webmaster's page for free fun content.
?Page tools
Printer friendly
Cite / link
Feedback
Add definition
Mentioned in?  References in periodicals archive?   Medical browser?   Full browser?
 
VARIOUS: Awaydays THIS eclectic soundtrack to the new football hooligan film Awaydays is a stellar selection of New Wave numbers.
A plane screen Q containing an aperture A of width 2w is illuminated by a quasi-monochromatic source J of width 2s and circular wave number k = 2[pi]/[lambda], [P.
 
 
 
Medical Dictionary
?

Terms of Use | Privacy policy | Feedback | Advertise with Us | Copyright © 2012 Farlex, Inc.
Disclaimer
All content on this website, including dictionary, thesaurus, literature, geography, and other reference data is for informational purposes only. This information should not be considered complete, up to date, and is not intended to be used in place of a visit, consultation, or advice of a legal, medical, or any other professional.