What term denotes the maximum displacement of a point on a wave from its rest position?

What term denotes the maximum displacement of a point on a wave from its rest position?

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

Answer: (D)

Amplitude is the term for the maximum displacement of a point on a wave from its rest position. It tells how tall or strong the wave is. In a transverse wave, it’s the distance from the equilibrium position to the crest (or to the trough, in magnitude). In a longitudinal wave, it corresponds to the greatest amount of compression or rarefaction from the rest position of the medium. Larger amplitude usually means more energy carried by the wave, since energy is related to the amplitude squared. Wavelength describes distance between successive crests, period is the time for one cycle, and frequency is how many cycles occur per second.

Amplitude is the term for the maximum displacement of a point on a wave from its rest position. It tells how tall or strong the wave is. In a transverse wave, it’s the distance from the equilibrium position to the crest (or to the trough, in magnitude). In a longitudinal wave, it corresponds to the greatest amount of compression or rarefaction from the rest position of the medium. Larger amplitude usually means more energy carried by the wave, since energy is related to the amplitude squared. Wavelength describes distance between successive crests, period is the time for one cycle, and frequency is how many cycles occur per second.