What is the term for the distance between two successive points of a wave?

The term "wavelength" refers to the distance between two successive points of a wave that are in phase, such as the distance between two consecutive peaks or troughs. It is a key characteristic of waves and is instrumental in determining various properties of waves, including their speed and frequency. In the context of optical phenomena, wavelength is crucial as it influences the color of light and the behavior of light as it interacts with different materials.

Understanding wavelength is essential in various fields, including optics, acoustics, and electromagnetic theory. For instance, the speed of a wave can be calculated using the relationship between speed, frequency, and wavelength. This relationship is foundational in fields such as physics and engineering, particularly when analyzing how waves propagate through different media. Therefore, the concept of wavelength is significant in both theoretical and practical applications of wave mechanics.