Wave Speed

Wave speed is a wave property, which may refer to absolute value of:

  • phase velocity, the velocity at which a wave phase propagates at a certain frequency
  • group velocity, the propagation velocity for the envelope of wave groups and often of wave energy, different from the phase velocity for dispersive waves
  • signal velocity, or information velocity, which is the velocity at which a wave carries information
  • front velocity, the velocity at which the first rise of a pulse above zero moves forward

Famous quotes containing the words wave and/or speed:

    “Through the dark cold and the empty desolation,
    The wave cry, the wind cry, the vast waters
    Of the petrel and the porpoise. In my end is my beginning.”
    —T.S. (Thomas Stearns)

    “Wait, Kate! You skate at such a rate
    You leave behind your skating mate.
    Your splendid speed won’t you abate?
    He’s lagging far behind you, Kate.”
    —David Daiches (b. 1912)