What term is used to describe the number of cycles per second for waves?

The term used to describe the number of cycles per second for waves is frequency. Frequency quantifies how often a wave oscillates or completes a full cycle in one second and is measured in hertz (Hz). When discussing waves, frequency is an essential concept because it directly relates to the energy and characteristics of the wave.

In contrast, amplitude refers to the height of the wave and is associated with the wave's intensity or strength, whereas wavelength is the distance between successive crests (or troughs) of a wave, relating to its spatial characteristics. The period is inversely related to frequency; it represents the time it takes for one complete cycle of the wave to pass a given point. Since frequency and period are related by the equation ( \text{Frequency} = \frac{1}{\text{Period}} ), understanding frequency helps in analyzing the behavior of waves across various contexts.