Phase velocity is the speed at which the individual phase fronts (like the crests or troughs) of a wave travel through a medium.
Key points:
- It describes how fast a particular point of constant phase (e.g., a crest) moves.
- Calculated as the ratio of the wave’s frequency to its wavelength.
- Can differ from the group velocity, which governs the speed of wave packets or signals.
- In some cases, phase velocity can be faster than the speed of light, but this does not transmit information or energy faster than light.
Importance:
- Helps in understanding wave propagation characteristics.
- Relevant in optics, acoustics, and quantum mechanics to describe how waves behave in various media.
Phase velocity gives insight into the behavior of individual wave components, distinct from the overall signal or energy transport.