Time between successive crests is a characteristic of which term?

• A. Wave Height Factors
• B. Wave Train
• C. Wave Period
• D. Destructive Interference

Answer: (C)

The time between successive crests is the wave period. It measures how long one full wave cycle takes to pass a fixed point, usually in seconds. The period and frequency are reciprocal, so a longer period means a lower frequency (T = 1/f). This concept is distinct from wave height, which describes how tall a wave is; from a wave train, which is a sequence of waves traveling together; and from destructive interference, which is when waves cancel each other out. In practice, knowing the period helps you anticipate how often waves arrive and plan your paddling rhythm.