ARRL Technician Practice Exam

What is the name for the distance a radio wave travels during one complete cycle?

1. Frequency

2. Wavelength

3. Amplitude

4. Wave period

The correct answer is: Wavelength

The correct answer is wavelength. Wavelength is defined as the distance over which a wave's shape repeats, which corresponds to the distance a radio wave travels during one complete cycle. It is usually measured in meters and is inversely related to frequency; as the frequency of a wave increases, its wavelength decreases. Understanding wavelength is critical in radio communication because it affects how radio waves propagate through the environment, their ability to penetrate obstacles, and the ranges over which they can be effectively transmitted and received. In practical terms, knowing the wavelength helps in antenna design and tuning, ensuring efficient transmission and reception of signals. The other concepts mentioned play different roles in the properties of waves. Frequency refers to how many cycles occur in a given time period, amplitude relates to the height of the wave impacts the strength of the signal, and wave period is the time it takes for one complete cycle of the wave to pass a given point. While these aspects are important, they do not define the distance a wave travels per cycle, which is specifically described by wavelength.