What do we call the distance between two successive troughs or crests of a wave?

The correct answer refers to the distance between two successive troughs or crests of a wave, which is known as wavelength. Wavelength is a fundamental property of waves that determines how wave energy is distributed across space. It is measured as the distance from one crest (the highest point of a wave) to the next crest or from one trough (the lowest point) to the next trough.

Understanding wavelength is crucial, as it plays a significant role in determining how waves behave as they propagate and interact with the coastline, influencing coastal processes such as erosion and deposition. The wavelength can affect wave speed and the energy carried by the wave, making it a critical concept in oceanographic studies.

The other terms provided—wave height, wave frequency, and wave period—refer to different characteristics of waves. Wave height measures the vertical distance between the crest and trough; wave frequency indicates how many waves pass a single point in a given timeframe; and wave period is the time it takes for one complete wave cycle to pass a fixed point. Each of these aspects contributes to the overall understanding of wave behavior but does not describe the specific distance between crests or troughs.