Distance between consecutive crests is also known as

Distance between consecutive crests is also known as

• A. Wave Speed
• B. Wavelength
• C. Frequency
• D. Power

Answer: (B)

The distance between consecutive crests is the wavelength. This measures the spatial period of the wave—the length of one complete cycle along the direction of travel. It’s usually denoted by the symbol λ and measured in meters. Wavelength is part of the relationship v = f λ, where v is the wave speed and f is the frequency. This means if you know two of these quantities, you can find the third. Wave speed tells you how fast the wave pattern moves through the medium, not how far apart the crests are. Frequency counts how many crests pass a fixed point each second. Power is about how much energy the wave transfers per unit time, which depends on amplitude and medium rather than spacing of crests. So the spacing of crests specifically identifies the wavelength.

The distance between consecutive crests is the wavelength. This measures the spatial period of the wave—the length of one complete cycle along the direction of travel. It’s usually denoted by the symbol λ and measured in meters. Wavelength is part of the relationship v = f λ, where v is the wave speed and f is the frequency. This means if you know two of these quantities, you can find the third.

Wave speed tells you how fast the wave pattern moves through the medium, not how far apart the crests are. Frequency counts how many crests pass a fixed point each second. Power is about how much energy the wave transfers per unit time, which depends on amplitude and medium rather than spacing of crests. So the spacing of crests specifically identifies the wavelength.