Which of the following is a characteristic of sine waves?

Sine waves are fundamental in the study of oscillations and waves, particularly in physics and engineering. One distinguishing characteristic of sine waves is that they can be described using trigonometric functions. This is because sine waves follow a smooth periodic oscillation that can be mathematically represented by the sine function, usually written as y = A sin(Bx + C) + D, where A represents amplitude, B determines the frequency, C is the phase shift, and D is the vertical shift.

The periodic nature of sine waves means they have a consistent and predictable pattern over time, which is why they are frequently utilized to model various phenomena such as sound waves, light waves, and alternating current (AC) in electrical engineering. Understanding this characteristic is essential, as it forms the basis for more complex wave behaviors and analyses in both theoretical and applied contexts.