The wavelength of a wave is the distance between
a. the crest and the following trough.
b. two consecutive crests.
c. the amplitude and the normal position.
d. the rarefaction and the following compression.
The wavelength of a wave is the distance between two consecutive crests. This applies to a transverse wave, where the wavelength can always be determined by measuring the distance from crest to crest or from trough to trough.
However a longitudinal wave has no crest or trough. How can the wavelength be determined ?
In this case, the wavelength can be determined by measuring the distance from one compression to the next compression or from a rarefaction to the next rarefaction.
