The time it takes a wave to vibrate a single cycle is called the?

The time it takes a wave to vibrate a single cycle is called the?

• A. Period
• B. Wavelength
• C. Frequency
• D. Amplitude

Answer: (A)

Period is the time required for one complete cycle of the wave. It’s measured in seconds and is the reciprocal of frequency (T = 1/f). This means higher frequency means a shorter period—for example, a wave oscillating at 5 cycles per second has a period of 0.2 seconds. Wavelength, by contrast, is the distance the wave travels in one cycle, frequency is how many cycles occur each second, and amplitude is how far the medium moves from rest.

Period is the time required for one complete cycle of the wave. It’s measured in seconds and is the reciprocal of frequency (T = 1/f). This means higher frequency means a shorter period—for example, a wave oscillating at 5 cycles per second has a period of 0.2 seconds. Wavelength, by contrast, is the distance the wave travels in one cycle, frequency is how many cycles occur each second, and amplitude is how far the medium moves from rest.