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Physics vocabulary · Waves, Oscillations and Sound

Amplitude

Meaning in physics, with examples

/ˈæmplɪtuːd/nounCore term

In physics, amplitude means: The maximum distance that a point on a wave or an oscillating object moves away from its rest position. A larger amplitude means the wave carries more energy.

In Turkish: genlik

How it is used

For sound, amplitude is linked to loudness; for light, to brightness. Measure it from the middle (equilibrium) line to a crest, not from crest to trough, which gives twice the amplitude. The energy of a wave is proportional to the amplitude squared.

Example sentences

  1. Turning up the volume increases the amplitude of the sound wave, not its frequency.

  2. The amplitude of the pendulum slowly decreases because of air resistance.

Common collocations

  • large amplitude
  • small amplitude
  • maximum amplitude
  • amplitude of oscillation
  • waveA disturbance that travels through a medium or through space and carries energy from one place to another without carrying matter with it.
  • frequencyThe number of complete waves or oscillations that pass a point, or happen, each second. It is measured in hertz (Hz), where 1 Hz means one cycle per second.
  • wavelengthThe distance between two neighbouring points on a wave that are at the same stage of their cycle, such as two crests. It is shown by the Greek letter lambda (λ).
  • simple harmonic motionA repeating back-and-forth motion in which the acceleration is proportional to the displacement from the centre and always points back towards it. A mass on a spring moves this way.
  • resonanceThe large increase in amplitude that happens when a system is pushed at a frequency equal to its own natural frequency. Energy is then transferred to the system very efficiently.

More terms: Waves, Oscillations and Sound

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