Which term describes the peak of a wave?

Prepare for the DIVE Integrated Chemistry and Physics (ICP) Quarterly Exam 4 with our interactive quizzes. Study key ICP concepts with flashcards, multiple choice questions, hints, and detailed explanations. Get ready to excel in your exam!

The term that describes the peak of a wave is "crest." In wave terminology, the crest refers to the highest point of the wave, where the energy of the wave is maximized. This is the point above the rest position of the medium through which the wave travels, and it is critical in understanding the wave's behavior and characteristics.

To further clarify, the "trough" refers to the lowest point of the wave, opposite to the crest. The "amplitude" is a measure of the height of the wave from the rest position to the crest, indicating the wave's intensity or energy. A "wavefront" refers to the shape and orientation of the surface defined by points of a wave that are in phase, but it does not specifically indicate the peak or highest point of the wave. Understanding these terms is essential in studying wave properties in physics.

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