Which term is used for the number of wave cycles per unit time?

Which term is used for the number of wave cycles per unit time?

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

Answer: (A)

Frequency is the term for the number of wave cycles that pass a fixed point in a given amount of time. It describes how often the wave repeats and is measured in cycles per second, or hertz (Hz). For example, if eight crests pass a point each second, the frequency is 8 Hz. The period, the time for one cycle, is the reciprocal of frequency (T = 1/f). Wavelength is the distance between successive crests, amplitude is the wave’s height, and tide refers to the daily rise and fall of sea level due to gravitational forces—none of these describe cycles per time.

Frequency is the term for the number of wave cycles that pass a fixed point in a given amount of time. It describes how often the wave repeats and is measured in cycles per second, or hertz (Hz). For example, if eight crests pass a point each second, the frequency is 8 Hz. The period, the time for one cycle, is the reciprocal of frequency (T = 1/f). Wavelength is the distance between successive crests, amplitude is the wave’s height, and tide refers to the daily rise and fall of sea level due to gravitational forces—none of these describe cycles per time.