Amplitude
Definition
The amplitude represents the maximum displacement from equilibrium in a periodic motion.
Analogy
Think of a swing at a playground. The amplitude is like how high you swing above or below your resting position when swinging back and forth.
Related terms
Period (T): The period refers to the time it takes for one complete cycle of a periodic motion.
Frequency (f): The frequency is the number of cycles or oscillations that occur in one second.
Crest and Trough: In wave motion, crest represents the highest point while trough represents the lowest point on a wave.
"Amplitude" appears in:
Study guides (3)
Additional resources (2)
Practice Questions (5)
If the kinetic energy of a spring at its equilibrium position preparing to move to its negative amplitude is 20J, what is its displacement as it moves to its negative amplitude position given a spring constant of 100N/m. Assume surface is frictionless.
A mass-spring oscillator travels a total horizontal distance of 1.8m in 5 seconds. If its amplitude is 0.3m, what is the approximate period of the oscillator?
If the amplitude of a simple harmonic oscillator is quadrupled, its total mechanical energy will
A block with a mass of 10 kg connected to a spring oscillates back and forth with an amplitude of 2 m. What is the approximate period of the block if it has a speed of 4 m/s when it passes through its equilibrium point?
If the amplitude of a simple harmonic oscillator is quadrupled, its total mechanical energy will _____
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