What defines the distance between consecutive peaks of a wave?

The distance between consecutive peaks of a wave is defined as the wavelength. Wavelength is a fundamental characteristic of waves, representing the physical length of one complete cycle, which includes one peak and one trough. It is typically measured in meters and is crucial for understanding various wave properties, including how waves interact with each other and with the environment.

In this context, frequency refers to how many wave cycles occur in a certain period (usually measured in hertz), while amplitude describes the wave's height or strength, indicating how much energy the wave carries. Wave speed relates to how fast the wave propagates through a medium, combining both wavelength and frequency in the equation ( \text{wave speed} = \text{wavelength} \times \text{frequency} ). Understanding these concepts helps clarify the role of wavelength as the metric that directly measures the distance between the peaks of a wave.