Final answer:
The three main properties of waves are amplitude (the height from rest to crest), frequency (the number of cycles per second, measured in hertz), and wavelength (the distance between consecutive points in phase).
Step-by-step explanation:
The three properties of waves that are commonly discussed are amplitude, frequency, and wavelength. Each of these properties helps to describe the characteristics of a wave.
- Amplitude — Amplitude refers to the maximum distance a point on the wave moves from its rest position. It's a measure of the wave's energy; the higher the amplitude, the more energy the wave carries.
- Frequency — Frequency is the number of cycles (such as crests or troughs) that pass a given point in one second. It is measured in hertz (Hz), and higher frequencies mean more cycles per second.
- Wavelength — Wavelength is the distance between two consecutive points that are in phase on the wave, such as from crest to crest or trough to trough. It is typically measured in meters.