What is the term for the distance between the crest of two waves?

The distance between the crests of two waves is referred to as wavelength. Wavelength is a crucial concept in wave mechanics, as it defines the spatial period of a wave, essentially measuring the distance over which the wave's shape repeats. It is typically denoted by the symbol λ (lambda) and is commonly expressed in meters.

Wavelength plays an important role in determining other wave properties, such as frequency and wave speed. When considering different types of waves, such as sound waves or electromagnetic waves, the wavelength directly influences how the wave behaves and interacts with matter.

For example, shorter wavelengths can correspond to higher frequencies, while longer wavelengths relate to lower frequencies. This relationship is encapsulated in the wave equation, where the speed of the wave is equal to the frequency times the wavelength. Understanding wavelength is fundamental to studying wave phenomena in various scientific and engineering fields.