PhysRefPhysics reference
Waves
Waves

Wave Number

k=2πλk = \frac{2\pi}{\lambda}

Spatial frequency of wave.

Variables

k
Wave number
Radians per meter
rad/m
λ
Wavelength
Distance between crests
m

Derivation

k = 2π/λ, analogous to ω = 2π/T.

Your notes

0/5000

Common questions

What is the Wave Number formula?

Wave Number is written k = 2π/λ. Spatial frequency of wave. It belongs to Waves, under Wave Properties.

What are the units in k = 2π/λ?

In SI units, k is wave number, measured in rad/m; λ is wavelength, measured in m.

How is the Wave Number formula derived?

k = 2π/λ, analogous to ω = 2π/T. The result is k = 2π/λ.