Wave propagation speed
Lower propagation velocity, also called propagation velocity, is defined as the rate at which the propagation takes place in a physical system. A distinction is the phase velocity of a harmonic wave and the group velocity of a pulse-like local disturbance (eg bang, photon). This refers to
- A physical effect, see also retarded potential,
- The phase of a wave,
- A wave packet.
As a vectorial field size, the propagation velocity defined by a direction vector a direction of propagation of the wave vector.
Propagation speed in waves
For the velocity of a wave
Here, the wavelength and frequency of the wave.
For electromagnetic and acoustic waves is taken instead of the letters (Latin Celeritas Engl. speed ) for the light or the speed of sound.
The dispersion, the propagation velocity in a medium is dependent on the wavelength. Then the group velocity of the above phase velocity is to be distinguished. The speed of sound, however, is a constant in many media over wide wavelength ranges.
- Physical size
- Wave