What is the trough of a wave?

The trough of a wave refers to the lowest point in a wave cycle. In a visual representation of a wave, it is the point where the wave dips down to its lowest position. Understanding this concept is crucial for analyzing wave phenomena such as sound, light, and water waves since the trough represents the minimum displacement from the rest position. This contrasts with the crest, which is the highest point of the wave, but identifying the trough is particularly important in various applications, including calculating wave properties like amplitude and establishing the overall behavior of periodic functions. Hence, recognizing the trough as the lowest point helps in understanding the full characteristics and effects of waves.