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