Which term defines the height of a wave, related to energy?

Which term defines the height of a wave, related to energy?

• A. Amplitude
• B. Refraction
• C. Reflection
• D. Absorption

Answer: (A)

The height of a wave is described by its amplitude. Amplitude is the maximum displacement from the rest position, i.e., how tall the wave gets. In many waves, the energy carried by the wave increases with the square of this height, so a larger amplitude means more energy. The other terms describe how waves move through or interact with materials—refraction is the bending that happens when speed changes in a new medium, reflection is the bouncing off a surface, and absorption is energy taken up by the medium. So, the term that defines the height of a wave and relates to energy is amplitude.

The height of a wave is described by its amplitude. Amplitude is the maximum displacement from the rest position, i.e., how tall the wave gets. In many waves, the energy carried by the wave increases with the square of this height, so a larger amplitude means more energy. The other terms describe how waves move through or interact with materials—refraction is the bending that happens when speed changes in a new medium, reflection is the bouncing off a surface, and absorption is energy taken up by the medium. So, the term that defines the height of a wave and relates to energy is amplitude.