wave number

American  

noun

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

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wave number British  

noun

1.  ν.   σ.  physics the reciprocal of the wavelength of a wave

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wave number Scientific  

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

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Etymology

Origin of wave number

First recorded in 1900–05

Example Sentences

Still, even when a wave number-5 system is present in the atmosphere, the overall risk of a US heat wave is still small, she adds.

From Scientific American

The existence of a strong wave number-5 pattern increases the chances of a heat wave to only 6% — not enough to allow meaningful warnings.

From Scientific American

The next step toward eventually producing that kind of advance forecast is to pinpoint the conditions that create wave number-5 patterns, says Schubert.

From Scientific American

The analysis revealed that major heat waves were four times more likely to develop after a strong wave number-5 system formed at mid-latitudes.

From Scientific American