WAVEVECTOR Meaning and
Definition
-
Wavevector, in the field of physics, refers to a fundamental concept used to characterize the propagation of waves in space. It is represented by a vector quantity, commonly denoted by the symbol k. The wavevector provides information about the direction, magnitude and wavelength of a wave.
The direction of the wavevector indicates the direction in which the wave is propagating. For example, in a plane wave, it is normal to the wavefronts. The magnitude of the wavevector determines the spatial frequency or reciprocal of the wavelength of the wave. Essentially, it quantifies how many wavelengths fit in a unit distance.
The wavevector is frequently used in describing electromagnetic waves, sound waves, and other types of waves. In the context of electromagnetic waves, the wavevector is related to the energy, momentum, and phase of the wave. It plays a crucial role in various fields such as optics, quantum mechanics, and solid-state physics.
Mathematically, the wavevector can be represented as k = 2π/λ, where λ is the wavelength of the wave. In three-dimensional space, the wavevector is described using three components (kx, ky, kz), where each component represents the wavevector along the x-, y-, and z-axis respectively.
In summary, the wavevector is a vector quantity that characterizes the propagation of waves. It provides information about the direction, magnitude, and wavelength of a wave, making it an essential concept in the study of wave phenomena.
Common Misspellings for WAVEVECTOR
- qavevector
- aavevector
- savevector
- eavevector
- 3avevector
- 2avevector
- wzvevector
- wsvevector
- wwvevector
- wqvevector
- wacevector
- wabevector
- wagevector
- wafevector
- wavwvector
- wavsvector
- wavdvector
- wavrvector
- wav4vector
Etymology of WAVEVECTOR
The word "wavevector" is a compound term formed by combining the words "wave" and "vector". To understand its etymology, let's break it down:
- Wave: The word "wave" comes from the Old English word "wæg", meaning "moving billow of water or the sea". It is related to the Dutch "weyk", meaning "movement of water". The term "wave" eventually extended its meaning to phenomena other than water, referring to the motion of energy or particles in physics.
- Vector: The word "vector" has its roots in Latin. It is derived from the Latin word "vehere", which means "to carry" or "to transport". In mathematics and physics, a vector is a quantity that has both magnitude and direction.
Combining the two words, "wave" and "vector", the term "wavevector" refers to a vector associated with a wave.
Infographic
Add the infographic to your website:
