To solve this question, we need to closely examine the given formula:
[tex]\[ V = \frac{1}{3} B h \][/tex]
This formula is used in the context of a right pyramid, where:
- [tex]\( B \)[/tex] represents the area of the base of the pyramid.
- [tex]\( h \)[/tex] represents the height of the pyramid, which is the perpendicular distance from the base to the apex (top point) of the pyramid.
Now, let's understand each term individually:
1. Base Area ([tex]\( B \)[/tex]): This is simply the area of the base of the pyramid.
2. Height ([tex]\( h \)[/tex]): This is the vertical distance from the base to the apex of the pyramid.
3. Volume ([tex]\( V \)[/tex]): For a pyramid, the volume is given by the formula [tex]\[ V = \frac{1}{3} B h \][/tex].
Given that [tex]\(\frac{1}{3} B h\)[/tex] is the formula for the volume of a pyramid, we can determine what each option represents:
A. Cross-sectional area: This term typically refers to the area of a slice or section of the pyramid and is not given by the formula [tex]\(\frac{1}{3} B h\)[/tex].
B. Surface area: This is the total area of all the surfaces (faces) of the pyramid. The formula for the surface area of a pyramid involves summing the area of the base and the areas of the triangular faces, which is not represented by the given formula.
C. Cross-sectional volume: This term is not standard terminology in the context of pyramids, and it cannot represent the formula [tex]\(\frac{1}{3} B h\)[/tex].
D. Volume: The volume of a pyramid is precisely what the formula [tex]\(\frac{1}{3} B h\)[/tex] calculates.
Therefore, the formula [tex]\(\frac{1}{3} B h\)[/tex] represents the volume of a right pyramid.
Hence, the correct answer is:
[tex]\[ \boxed{D. \text{Volume}} \][/tex]
