| Webster's Online Dictionary |
| Expressions | Domain | Definition | |
| Equivalent width | Aerospace | In spectrography, a measure of the total absorption of radiant energy as indicated by an absorption line or absorption band. Compare line width. The formula for equivalent width W is where A is the fraction of incident radiation which is absorbed at any wavelength, and 1 and 2 are wavelengths, on opposite sides of the line or band, where the absorption has dropped to zero. Thus, in a plot of A against, the equivalent width represents the area under the curve, or the width of a fictitious line or band which absorbs completely throughout its extent but which absorbs the same total amount of energy as the actual line or band. (references) | |
Source: compiled by the editor from various references; see credits. | Top | ||
