AFOQT Practice Test

What is the distance between a wave's crest and trough known as?

1. Wave length

2. Wave amplitude

3. Wave frequency

4. Wave height

The correct answer is: Wave height

The distance between a wave's crest and trough is referred to as the wave height. Wave height specifically measures the vertical distance from the highest point (crest) to the lowest point (trough) of the wave. This concept is significant in various fields, such as oceanography and physics, as it gives insight into the energy and dynamics of wave motion. Wave length, on the other hand, describes the distance between two successive crests (or troughs) of a wave. Wave amplitude is related to how much energy a wave carries and is defined as the maximum displacement from the equilibrium position to the crest or trough. Wave frequency pertains to how often a wave completes a cycle in a given amount of time. Each of these terms describes different properties of waves, making them distinct from the measurement that represents the distance between the crest and trough.