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morrobay
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The wave number k = 2π/λ . But is defined as radians per unit distance. What is the correlation here between the
wavelength and radians ?
wavelength and radians ?
Wave number (k) is a term used in physics and engineering to describe the spatial frequency of a wave. It is defined as the number of complete cycles of a wave that occur in a unit distance.
The wave number (k) is inversely proportional to the wavelength (λ). This means that as the wavelength increases, the wave number decreases, and vice versa. The relationship between k and λ is given by the equation k = 2π/λ.
The units of wave number (k) are radians per unit distance. This unit is commonly used in physics and engineering to measure the spatial frequency of waves.
Wave number (k) is used in various wave equations, such as the wave equation for a traveling wave or the Schrödinger equation for quantum mechanics. It helps to determine the spatial frequency and wavelength of a wave.
Yes, wave number (k) can be negative. In physics, waves can travel in both positive and negative directions, and the direction of wave propagation determines the sign of the wave number. A negative wave number indicates that the wave is traveling in the opposite direction of the positive direction.