9.3 Wavelength and amplitude

9.3 Wavelength and amplitude (ESACU)

Wavelength

The wavelength in a longitudinal wave is the distance between two consecutive points that are in phase.

The wavelength in a longitudinal wave refers to the distance between two consecutive compressions or between two consecutive rarefactions.

Amplitude

The amplitude is the maximum displacement from equilibrium. For a longitudinal wave which is a pressure wave this would be the maximum increase (or decrease) in pressure from the equilibrium pressure that is cause when a compression (or rarefaction) passes a point.

The amplitude is the distance from the equilibrium position of the medium to a compression or a rarefaction.