What defines the distance a sound wave travels in one cycle?

The distance a sound wave travels in one cycle is defined by the wavelength of the sound. Wavelength is the physical length of one complete wave cycle and is typically measured from crest to crest or trough to trough. It indicates how far the wave propagates in one complete oscillation, making it a fundamental characteristic of sound waves.

In contrast, sound intensity relates to the power carried by sound waves per unit area, which does not directly describe the physical distance traveled in a cycle. Sound pressure reflects the local pressure variation from the ambient atmospheric pressure caused by a sound wave, again unrelated to the distance traveled in a cycle. Frequency indicates how many cycles occur in a given time frame, typically expressed in Hertz, but it does not provide a measure of the distance a wave travels in one cycle. Thus, the answer reflects a fundamental property of waves, emphasizing the importance of wavelength in understanding sound.