The distance between a point on one wave and the same point on the next cycle.

The distance between a point on one wave and the same point on the next cycle.

• A. Frequency
• B. Amplitude
• C. Hertz
• D. Wavelength

Answer: (D)

Wavelength is the distance over which the wave's pattern repeats. The distance between a point on one wave and the same point on the next cycle is the spatial period of the wave—the wavelength. You can think of it as the spacing from crest to crest (or trough to trough), measured in meters. Frequency, described by how many cycles occur each second, is measured in hertz, and amplitude is how tall the wave is from rest. The question focuses on the spatial repeat distance, which is why wavelength is the correct concept.

Wavelength is the distance over which the wave's pattern repeats. The distance between a point on one wave and the same point on the next cycle is the spatial period of the wave—the wavelength. You can think of it as the spacing from crest to crest (or trough to trough), measured in meters. Frequency, described by how many cycles occur each second, is measured in hertz, and amplitude is how tall the wave is from rest. The question focuses on the spatial repeat distance, which is why wavelength is the correct concept.