What type of wave characteristic is wavelength?

Wavelength is defined as the distance between consecutive points of the same phase in a wave, such as the distance between consecutive crests or troughs. In the case of a transverse wave, like light or water waves, the wavelength measures the physical space between these repeating features.

This characteristic is crucial in understanding wave behavior, as it affects properties such as frequency and speed. The relationship between wavelength, frequency, and wave speed is described by the equation: wave speed = frequency × wavelength. Thus, knowing the wavelength allows us to derive other essential aspects of wave properties.

The other choices focus on different aspects of wave characteristics. Amplitude refers to the maximum height of the wave from its rest position, indicating energy. Frequency relates to the number of waves that pass a point in a given period of time, representing how often the wave cycles through a point. Height of the wave, while potentially referring to amplitude, does not directly define wavelength. Therefore, the distance between consecutive crests accurately captures the essence of what wavelength is defined to be.