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Wave number
01
the spatial frequency of a wave, representing the number of wavelengths per unit distance
Example
Infrared spectroscopy uses wave numbers to measure the energy levels and vibrations of molecules.
The wave number of a light wave in vacuum is calculated as the inverse of its wavelength.
Quantum mechanics employs wave numbers to describe the momentum of particles in wave-like phenomena.
The wave number in spectroscopy is expressed in reciprocal centimeters (cm⁻¹).
