What is the wave front of a wave?

The wave front of a wave is defined as a surface that connects points of equal phase, meaning all points on this surface are at the same stage of the wave cycle. Specifically, a wave front is generated by the points that are equidistant from the source of the wave, indicating that they have the same path length from that source. This concept is crucial in understanding wave behavior, as wave fronts help visualize how waves propagate through a medium and how energy is distributed.

The amplitude of the wave represents the maximum displacement from the equilibrium position and does not refer to the geometric concept of a wave front. The distance traveled by the wave generally describes the propagation of the wave over time but does not capture the concept of a wave front, which pertains to its spatial characteristics. The speed at which the wave travels indicates how quickly the wave propagates through the medium but does not define a wave front either. Thus, the correct choice effectively captures the essence of what a wave front represents in wave theory.