What is defined as the maximum displacement of a wave from its equilibrium position?

What is defined as the maximum displacement of a wave from its equilibrium position?

• A. Amplitude
• B. Frequency
• C. Phase
• D. Wavelength

Answer: (A)

Amplitude is the maximum displacement of a wave from its equilibrium position. It tells you how large the oscillation is—larger amplitude means a bigger wiggle, louder sound, or brighter light depending on the type of wave. The other terms describe different properties: frequency is how often the wave repeats per unit time, phase is the offset of the wave at a point in time, and wavelength is the distance over which the wave pattern repeats. So, the maximum displacement from rest is amplitude.

Amplitude is the maximum displacement of a wave from its equilibrium position. It tells you how large the oscillation is—larger amplitude means a bigger wiggle, louder sound, or brighter light depending on the type of wave. The other terms describe different properties: frequency is how often the wave repeats per unit time, phase is the offset of the wave at a point in time, and wavelength is the distance over which the wave pattern repeats. So, the maximum displacement from rest is amplitude.