What is the term for the highest point of a wave?

The highest point of a wave is referred to as the crest. In wave terminology, the crest represents the peak of the wave where the displacement from the equilibrium position is at its maximum. This is a fundamental aspect of wave behavior, applicable in various contexts such as sound waves, light waves, and water waves.

Understanding the crest is important in wave physics because it helps define other properties of the wave, such as wavelength and amplitude. The wavelength is measured from crest to crest, while the amplitude is the height of the crest from the equilibrium position. Recognizing the crest is essential in analyzing wave patterns and their energy transfer characteristics, making it a key concept in the study of wave motions.