What term describes the rate at which a wave repeats itself or oscillates?

The term that describes the rate at which a wave repeats itself or oscillates is frequency. Frequency quantifies how many cycles of the wave occur in a given amount of time, usually measured in hertz (Hz), which indicates the number of cycles per second. In various contexts, such as sound waves, electromagnetic waves, and even in the realm of biological rhythms, frequency plays a crucial role in determining the characteristics of the wave, including pitch in audio signals or energy level in light waves.

Amplitude refers to the height of the wave, which determines the intensity or strength of the wave, but it doesn't give information about how often the wave oscillates. Sensitivity typically relates to the responsiveness of a system or measurement device to changes, while filter refers to a device or process that removes certain frequencies or components from a signal, rather than describing the oscillation rate itself. Thus, frequency is the appropriate term for the rate of oscillation.