What term describes how many wave peaks pass a certain point in a given time?

The term that describes how many wave peaks pass a certain point in a given time is frequency. Frequency is measured in hertz (Hz), which quantifies the number of cycles (or peaks) that occur in one second. Understanding frequency is crucial in various fields, including physics and telecommunications, as it helps identify characteristics of waves, such as sound and electromagnetic waves.

Amplitude refers to the height of the wave peaks, indicating the wave's energy or intensity, rather than the number of peaks over time. Wavelength measures the distance between consecutive peaks of a wave, showing the physical length of one cycle instead of timing. Velocity concerns the speed at which the wave travels through a medium, which is distinct from counting how many wave cycles occur over time.