What do we call the point of minimum displacement in a transverse wave?

In a transverse wave, the point of minimum displacement is referred to as a trough. A trough is the lowest point in the wave cycle, where the particles of the medium are at their farthest displacement downward from the equilibrium position. This follows the characteristic pattern of a transverse wave, where energy is transmitted through the medium while the particles oscillate perpendicular to the direction of wave propagation.

Understanding the nomenclature of wave features is essential. The crest, another feature of a transverse wave, is at the opposite end of the displacement spectrum—the highest point in the wave cycle. Antinodes are points of maximum displacement, where the wave's amplitude reaches its peak, while nodes are points of zero displacement that occur at specific intervals, leading to areas of constructive and destructive interference. By identifying the trough correctly, one acknowledges its role in illustrating the behavior of transverse waves.