Which wave property measures the distance between successive peaks?

The property that measures the distance between successive peaks of a wave is known as the wavelength. Wavelength is a fundamental characteristic of waves, as it defines the spatial period of the wave, or in simpler terms, the length of one complete cycle of the wave. It is typically represented by the Greek letter lambda (λ) and is measured in meters.

Understanding wavelength is essential in various fields, including physics and engineering, as it influences how waves interact with one another and with materials. For instance, in sound waves, different wavelengths correspond to different pitches, while in light waves, different wavelengths correspond to different colors.

In contrast, frequency measures the number of cycles that occur in a given amount of time (usually seconds), amplitude describes the height of the wave, indicating its intensity or energy, and speed refers to how quickly the wave travels through a medium. Thus, focusing on the specific characteristic that describes the distance between peaks leads directly to the concept of wavelength as the correct answer.