Question

The distance between a crest and the next trough in a transverse wave is ______.

Options

• $$\dfrac{\lambda}{2}$$

• $$\dfrac{\lambda}{4}$$

• $$\lambda$$

• $$2\lambda$$

Answer 1

The distance between a crest and the next trough in a transverse wave is \(\underline{\mathbf{\dfrac{λ}{2}}}\).

Explanation:

A crest and the next trough are separated by half a wavelength, so the distance between them is \(\dfrac{\lambda}{2}\). A distance of \(\dfrac{\lambda}{4}\) is from a crest to the nearest mean position, while \(\lambda\) is the distance between two successive crests or two successive troughs.