What term describes the maximum displacement of particles in a wave?

What term describes the maximum displacement of particles in a wave?

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

Answer: (A)

The concept being tested is how far a wave causes particles to move from their resting position. That maximum distance is called the amplitude. In a transverse wave, particles oscillate about their equilibrium, and the farthest they move from that position defines the amplitude—often visualized as the height from the rest line to a crest (or to a trough). Frequency describes how often cycles occur per second, not the size of the motion. Wavelength is the spatial distance of one complete cycle, and period is the time for one cycle. So amplitude is the term that best describes the maximum displacement of particles in a wave.

The concept being tested is how far a wave causes particles to move from their resting position. That maximum distance is called the amplitude. In a transverse wave, particles oscillate about their equilibrium, and the farthest they move from that position defines the amplitude—often visualized as the height from the rest line to a crest (or to a trough). Frequency describes how often cycles occur per second, not the size of the motion. Wavelength is the spatial distance of one complete cycle, and period is the time for one cycle. So amplitude is the term that best describes the maximum displacement of particles in a wave.