Group Velocity

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Group Velocity

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The velocity of a wave disturbance as a whole, i.e., of an entire group of component simple harmonic waves. The group velocity U is related to the phase speed c of the individual harmonic waves of length l by the frequency equation U = c - l ( dc / dl ). The phase speed c is thus equal to the group velocity only in the case of nondispersive waves, i.e., when dc/dl = 0. See velocity of propagation. </dd>

References

This article is based on NASA's Dictionary of Technical Terms for Aerospace Use