Question

Which word describes the maximum a point moves from its rest position when a wave passes?

Answer 1

Answer:

Amplitude.

Explanation:

A wave can be defined as a disturbance in a medium that progressively transports energy from a source location to another location without the transportation of matter.

In Science, there are two (2) types of wave and these include;

I. Electromagnetic waves: it doesn't require a medium for its propagation and as such can travel through an empty space or vacuum. An example of an electromagnetic wave is light.

II. Mechanical waves: it requires a medium for its propagation and as such can't travel through an empty space or vacuum. An example of a mechanical wave is sound.

An amplitude can be defined as a waveform that's measured from the center line (its origin or equilibrium position) to the bottom of a trough or top of a crest.

Hence, an amplitude is a word that describes the maximum displacement a point moves from its rest position when a wave passes.

On a graph, the vertical axis (y-axis) is the amplitude of a waveform and this simply means that, it's measured vertically.

Mathematically, the amplitude of a wave is given by the formula;

x = Asin(ωt + ϕ)

Where;

x is displacement of the wave measured in meters.

A is the amplitude.

ω is the angular frequency measured in rad/s.

t is the time period measured in seconds.

ϕ is the phase angle.