Which term refers to the distance between two successive peaks of an electromagnetic wave?

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

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that an electromagnetic wave can be described by several key properties: wavelength, amplitude, frequency, and period.
2. Recall that the wavelength is defined as the distance between two successive peaks (or troughs) of a wave, which represents one complete cycle of the wave.
3. Amplitude refers to the height of the wave from the center line to a peak, indicating the wave's intensity or energy, not the distance between peaks.
4. Frequency is the number of wave cycles that pass a point per unit time, typically measured in hertz (Hz), and is inversely related to wavelength.
5. Period is the time it takes for one complete wave cycle to pass a point, which is the reciprocal of frequency, and does not describe a spatial distance.