Which term is defined as time between successive crests?

• A. Wave Period
• B. Wave Steepness Ratio
• C. Standing Wave
• D. Destructive Interference

Answer: (A)

The time between successive crests is the wave period. It measures how long it takes for one wave to pass a fixed point, typically written in seconds. If you observe a crest passing every few seconds, that interval is the wave period. The wave period is related to frequency via T = 1/f, and it’s different from wavelength (the distance between crests) and from how fast the crest travels (wave speed).

In this context, the other terms don’t describe the timing between crests: wave steepness ratio refers to height relative to wavelength, a standing wave is a fixed pattern formed by interfering waves, and destructive interference is when waves cancel each other.