celerity Velocity with which a wave advances. The celerity (c) of an ideal wave is related to its wavelength (λ) and frequency (f) by the wave equation c = fλ. The wave frequency (f) is the number of waves (n) passing a point in unit time (t), i.e. f = n/t. In deep water the wave celerity may be calculated by the equation: c = (gλ/2π)^1/2 = 1.25√λ where λ is the wavelength in metres and g is the acceleration due to gravity (9.81 m/s²). The speed of shallow water waves may be calculated by the equation: c = (gd)^1/2 = 3.13√d, where d is the depth of water in metres.

celerity The velocity with which a wave advances. The celerity (c) of an ideal wave is related to its wavelength (λ) and frequency (f) by the wave equation c = fλ. The wave frequency (f) is the number of waves (n) passing a point in unit time (t), i.e. f = n/t. In deep water the wave celerity may be calculated by the equation: c = (gλ/2π)² = 1.25√λ, where λ is the wavelength in metres and g is the acceleration due to gravity (9.81 m/s). The speed of shallow-water waves may be calculated by the equation: c = (gd)^1/2 = 3.13√d, where d is the depth of water in metres.

ce·ler·i·ty / səˈleritē/ • n. archaic or poetic/lit. swiftness of movement.

celerity XV. — (O)F. célérité — L. celeritās, f. celer swift; see -ITY.