Amplitude

In this picture, y is the amplitude of the wave

Different kinds of amplitudes

The amplitude or peak amplitude of a wave is a measure of how big its oscillation is. Amplitudes are always positive numbers (for example: 3.5, 1, 120) and are never negative (for example: -3.5, -1, -120). Amplitudes are positive because distance can only be greater than zero or equal to zero; negative distance does not exist.

The distance from the top of one peak to the bottom of another is called peak-to-peak amplitude. Another way to describe peak-to-peak amplitude is to say that it is the distance between the maximum positive value and the maximum negative value of a wave.

Other pages

Simple English Wiktionary has the word meaning for:

amplitude

• Waves and their properties:
  • Frequency
  • Period
  • Wavelength
• Amplitude modulation
• Vibration control
• Vibration isolation