Use the diagram to answer the question.
An illustration shows a wave with a horizontal distance between two consecutive troughs as 2 cm, and a maximum vertical distance above the horizontal line as 0.5 cm.
What does the value 0.5 cm represent for the wave?
(1 point)
Responses
amplitude
amplitude
equilibrium
equilibrium
wavelength
wavelength
frequency
frequency
amplitude
To answer this question, you need to understand the different properties of a wave.
First, let's clarify the terms used in the response options:
1. Amplitude: The amplitude of a wave refers to the maximum displacement or distance that a particle of the wave moves from its equilibrium position. It is a measure of the wave's strength or intensity.
2. Equilibrium: The equilibrium position of a wave is the resting or undisturbed position where the wave would be if there were no disturbances or waves.
3. Wavelength: The wavelength of a wave is the distance between two consecutive points in a wave that are in phase, such as consecutive troughs or crests.
4. Frequency: The frequency of a wave refers to the number of complete cycles or oscillations of the wave that occur per unit of time. It is measured in hertz (Hz).
Now, let's analyze the given information:
The horizontal distance between two consecutive troughs is 2 cm. This is the wavelength of the wave since it represents the distance between two in-phase points in the wave.
The maximum vertical distance above the horizontal line, which is 0.5 cm, represents the amplitude of the wave. The amplitude is the maximum displacement from the equilibrium position, in this case, the maximum height from the horizontal line.
Therefore, the correct answer is:
Amplitude