amplitude
Amplitude indicates how far a wave oscillates from its resting position. This topic is part of Physics within Science & Nature. This page currently draws on 12 supporting questions, with answers and bonus facts available below.
amplitude trivia questions
In a wave, amplitude measures the maximum what?
Answer: Displacement from equilibrium
Bonus fact: Amplitude indicates how far a wave oscillates from its resting position.
For sound waves, greater amplitude is generally associated with greater what?
Answer: Loudness
Bonus fact: Greater sound amplitude generally means greater intensity and perceived loudness.
For a simple pendulum, amplitude describes the maximum angular displacement from what position?
Answer: Equilibrium position
Bonus fact: Amplitude measures the largest departure from equilibrium.
What can happen to vibration amplitude at resonance?
Answer: It can become much larger
Bonus fact: Energy transfer is especially efficient near the natural frequency.
Why is FM less affected by many forms of amplitude noise than AM?
Answer: Information is encoded in frequency changes rather than amplitude
Bonus fact: Amplitude disturbances can often be limited by FM receivers.
What acoustic phenomenon occurs when an object vibrates strongly at one of its natural frequencies?
Answer: Resonance
Bonus fact: Resonance can greatly increase vibration amplitude.
An amplifier increases the strength of what?
Answer: Signal
Bonus fact: Amplifiers increase signal amplitude.
AM in radio broadcasting stands for what?
Answer: Amplitude modulation
Bonus fact: The carrier wave's amplitude varies with the audio signal.
The Richter scale is what type of mathematical scale?
Answer: Logarithmic
Bonus fact: Each whole-number increase represents ten times greater measured wave amplitude.
AM radio uses what type of modulation?
Answer: Amplitude modulation
Bonus fact: The carrier wave's amplitude changes with the audio signal.
What does bit depth mainly affect in digital audio?
Answer: Available dynamic range and amplitude precision
Bonus fact: More bits allow finer amplitude resolution.
What do the letters AM stand for?
Answer: Amplitude modulation
Bonus fact: AM was one of the earliest radio broadcasting methods.