Defining Key Wave Properties

Steps:

• Recall that amplitude is the maximum displacement from equilibrium, typically half the distance from trough to crest.
• Define frequency as the number of complete waves (crests or troughs) passing a point per second.
• Understand wave speed as the rate at which a specific point on the wave, like a crest, travels through the medium.
• Identify wavelength as the distance between two consecutive identical points, such as crest to crest or trough to trough.

Why C is correct:

• Wave speed is defined as the horizontal distance traveled by a peak (or any fixed point on the wave) per unit time, matching the statement directly.

Why the others are wrong:

• A: Amplitude is the distance from equilibrium to peak (or trough), not the full trough-to-peak distance.
• B: Frequency counts complete waves per second, not just troughs.
• D: Wavelength is the distance between consecutive troughs or peaks, not from trough to peak.

Final answer: C