What is the maximum distance the particles of a medium move away from their rest positions as a wave passes through the medium?

What is the maximum distance the particles of a medium move away from their rest positions as a wave passes through the medium?

• A. Wavelength
• B. Frequency
• C. Hertz
• D. Amplitude

Answer: (D)

The important idea here is amplitude—the maximum distance particles in the medium move away from their rest (equilibrium) position as the wave passes. In a mechanical wave, each particle wiggles around its resting point, and the size of that wiggle is the amplitude. A larger amplitude means the wave carries more energy. This is different from wavelength, which is the distance between successive crests, and from frequency (measured in Hertz), which is how many complete cycles occur per second. So, since the question asks for the greatest distance from rest that particles reach, amplitude is the correct concept.

The important idea here is amplitude—the maximum distance particles in the medium move away from their rest (equilibrium) position as the wave passes. In a mechanical wave, each particle wiggles around its resting point, and the size of that wiggle is the amplitude. A larger amplitude means the wave carries more energy. This is different from wavelength, which is the distance between successive crests, and from frequency (measured in Hertz), which is how many complete cycles occur per second. So, since the question asks for the greatest distance from rest that particles reach, amplitude is the correct concept.