Amplitude

The amplitude or peak amplitude of a wave is a measure of how big its oscillation is.

Amplitudes are always measured as positive numbers (for example: 3.5, 1, 120) and are never negative (for example: -3.5, -1, -120). That's 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 is the maximum displacement of a wave from an equilibrium position

Related pages

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

Category:Mechanical vibrations
Category:Wave mechanics