Ohio Assessment for Educators (OAE) Integrated Science (024) Practice Exam

What term is used to describe the distance between two consecutive wave crests?

1. Amplitude

2. Frequency

3. Velocity

4. Wavelength

The correct answer is: Wavelength

The term that describes the distance between two consecutive wave crests is wavelength. In wave terminology, wavelength is a fundamental characteristic that indicates how far one complete wave cycle extends in space. It is measured as the distance from one crest to the next, or alternately, from one trough to the next. Wavelength is an essential concept in understanding various wave phenomena, including sound, light, and other electromagnetic waves, as it influences the behavior and properties of these waves in different contexts. The other terms do not represent the distance between wave crests. Amplitude refers to the height of the wave crest, frequency describes how many cycles occur in a given time period, and velocity relates to the speed at which the wave travels through a medium. Thus, wavelength is the precise term that encapsulates the concept of spacing between consecutive crests.