Final answer:
The distance that a pulse occupies in space from the start to the end of one pulse is called the pulse length. It's part of the broader study of wave properties in physics which also includes the pulse amplitude and speed. In medicine, the term 'pulse' refers to the alternating expansion and recoil of an artery.
Step-by-step explanation:
The length or distance that a pulse occupies in space from the start to the end of one pulse is known as the pulse length. The pulse length can be visualized as the distance between two points that represent the beginning and end of a pulse's journey through a medium.
When discussing pulse measurements, it's important to mention not only the pulse length but also the amplitude and the speed at which the pulse travels. The amplitude of a pulse is the maximum disturbance or distance the medium is displaced from its equilibrium position, which is typically measured in meters. The speed of a pulse is calculated as the distance a pulse travels divided by the time it takes to travel that distance, expressed as v = D/t, where 'v' is the velocity, 'D' is the distance, and 't' is the time.
In medical contexts, a pulse refers to the alternating expansion and recoil of an artery as blood is pumped through it by the heart. This physiological pulse measurement is a vital sign often used to determine heart rate and overall cardiac function.