Why is Wavenumber (1/cm) Considered a Unit of Frequency?

[asdf1]

if frequency is (1/sec), then why is wavenumber (1/cm) considered a unit of frequency?

 

[Hootenanny]

if frequency is (1/sec), then why is wavenumber (1/cm) considered a unit of frequency?

It is considered the spatial representation of frequency, it in itself is not a fequency. However, you can obtain the the wavenumber by dividing the frequency by the speed of light. Observe,

c = f\lambda \Leftrightarrow \frac{1}{\lambda} = \frac{f}{c}

\frac{1}{\lambda}\propto f

 

[asdf1]

wow! never thought of it that way before~ thank you!