How can a wave's frequency be described?

A wave's frequency is defined as the number of complete cycles or crests that pass a specific point in a given period of time, typically measured in one second. This concept highlights how frequently the wave oscillates as it propagates through space.

When considering wave behavior, frequency plays a crucial role in determining characteristics such as pitch in sound waves and color in light waves. Higher frequency means more waves pass a point in a second, leading to different sensory perceptions.

The notion of describing frequency as the number of crests passing a point in one second effectively captures its definition. This contrasts with other descriptions such as the distance between two successive crests, which pertains to wavelength, the height of the wave, which relates to amplitude, and the time taken for one complete wave cycle, which describes the period of the wave.