What term is used to describe the number of waves that pass a given point in space per second?

The term that describes the number of waves that pass a given point in space per second is frequency. Frequency is a fundamental concept in wave physics and is measured in hertz (Hz), where one hertz equals one wave per second. It is essential in understanding how waves behave, as it relates directly to both the energy and the characteristics of different types of waves, such as sound or electromagnetic waves. Higher frequency means more waves pass a point each second, indicating a greater energy state for the wave.

In contrast, velocity refers to the speed of the wave traveling through a medium, wavelength measures the distance between successive peaks or troughs of a wave, and amplitude describes the maximum displacement of points on a wave from their rest positions. While all these properties are interrelated, frequency specifically addresses the rate at which waves occur, making it the correct response to the question.