alleryStart learning →What does the amplitude of an oscillation measure?
AThe total distance covered in one cycle
BThe maximum displacement from equilibrium
CThe time taken to return to equilibrium
DThe average displacement over one cycle
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: B. The maximum displacement from equilibrium
1. Amplitude X is the maximum displacement from the equilibrium position.
2. An oscillator reaches that displacement on each side of equilibrium, so amplitude is measured from the middle, not end to end.
3. Because amplitude is the largest displacement, it is what fixes the energy of the oscillation.
4. The average displacement over one full cycle is zero for a symmetric oscillation, so that option cannot be amplitude.
_Source: OpenStax College Physics (CC BY 4.0), Ch 16 "Oscillatory Motion and Waves", section 16.3 Simple Harmonic Motion: A Special Periodic Motion_
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