What is the maximum distance that a wave's particles vibrate from their rest position?

What is the maximum distance that a wave's particles vibrate from their rest position?

• A. Amplitude
• B. Wavelength
• C. Crest
• D. Trough

Answer: (A)

Amplitude is the maximum distance a particle moves from its rest position as the wave passes. As the wave travels, particles oscillate around equilibrium, and the furthest they travel from that rest position defines the amplitude. Wavelength is the spatial distance between repeating points on the wave (like crest to crest), while a crest or a trough are the highest and lowest points on the wave, not how far particles move from rest. So the maximum displacement from rest is the amplitude.

Amplitude is the maximum distance a particle moves from its rest position as the wave passes. As the wave travels, particles oscillate around equilibrium, and the furthest they travel from that rest position defines the amplitude. Wavelength is the spatial distance between repeating points on the wave (like crest to crest), while a crest or a trough are the highest and lowest points on the wave, not how far particles move from rest. So the maximum displacement from rest is the amplitude.