What is the time taken to complete one cycle known as?

The time taken to complete one cycle of a waveform is known as the period of the waveform. The period is a fundamental concept in wave mechanics and is defined as the duration it takes for one complete cycle of the wave to occur, measured in units of time (such as seconds). Understanding the period is essential because it relates directly to the frequency of the wave, which is how many cycles occur in one second; frequency and period are inversely related.

In contexts such as sound waves, electromagnetic waves, and other periodic phenomena, knowing the period helps to define how quickly the wave oscillates. Since the correct option highlights this crucial relationship, recognizing the period offers insight into the behavior and characteristics of various types of waves.

The other options, while related to wave properties, refer to different aspects: frequency pertains to the number of cycles per second; amplitude measures the maximum displacement from the rest position; wavelength denotes the physical length of one cycle of the wave. Each has its significance, but they describe different characteristics than the time it takes to complete a cycle.