What term refers to the height or depth reached by an oscillating wave?

The term that refers to the height or depth reached by an oscillating wave is amplitude. Amplitude is a measure of the maximum displacement of points on a wave from its resting position. In a graphical representation of a wave, it is the distance from the equilibrium position (the center line of the wave) to the peak (or trough) of the wave. This characteristic is crucial as it directly relates to the energy of the wave; a wave with a higher amplitude carries more energy.

In the context of waves, other terms have distinct meanings: frequency refers to how many cycles of the wave occur in a second, pitch relates to the perceived frequency of sound (higher frequencies correspond to higher pitches), and wavelength is the distance between successive crests or troughs of a wave. Understanding these differences reinforces why amplitude specifically defines the height or depth of a wave's oscillation.