Amplitude Physics Example 1

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Example 1

easy
A speaker produces a sound wave. The air molecules vibrate 0.002 m0.002 \text{ m} on either side of their equilibrium position. What is the amplitude of the sound wave?

Solution

  1. 1
    Amplitude is the maximum displacement from the equilibrium position.
  2. 2
    The molecules vibrate 0.002 m0.002 \text{ m} from equilibrium, so the amplitude is A=0.002 mA = 0.002 \text{ m}.
  3. 3
    The total peak-to-peak distance of vibration is 2A=0.004 m2A = 0.004 \text{ m}.

Answer

A=0.002 mA = 0.002 \text{ m}
Amplitude is the maximum displacement of a point on a wave from its rest position. For sound waves, larger amplitude means louder sound. Amplitude is always measured from equilibrium, not peak-to-peak.

About Amplitude

The maximum displacement of a wave from its equilibrium (rest) position, measuring the wave's strength or intensity.

Learn more about Amplitude →

More Amplitude Examples

Example 2 medium

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Example 3 medium

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Example 4 hard

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