Is it Meters for one and centimeters for other? Any help would be appreciated!!!!
2007-01-29 13:49:30 · 4 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
Wavelength is a measure of distance- how long the wave is from peak to peak or crest to crest, etc. It can really be expressed in any distance unit but meters or feet are common units that are used. Short (high frequency) waves would be better measured in centimeters or inches and very long (low frequency) waves would be easier to measure using kilometers or miles.
Amplitude is also basically a distance measure. How far above and below the baseline (0 point) the wave is displaced. It could be measured as distance (say you were causing a wave in a rope or something like that) but more typically you see measures of how large the displacement is. For example, the amplitude of a sound wave is usually expressed as decibles. Light wave amplitudes might be expressed as lumens. So really, the answer is it depends upon what you are measuring.
2007-01-29 14:12:30 · answer #1 · answered by GatorGal 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Wavelength is always a distance measure of some kind, like meters or centimeters.
Amplitude depends on the kind of wave. For a water wave, a distance measure. But for an electromagnetic wave, amplitude is measured in dB or decibels.
2007-01-29 15:14:52 · answer #2 · answered by Keith P 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
unit for wavelength is usually a time unit....ie. 24 hours. A cycle of our day takes 24 hours.
amplitude can be in units of distance. Amplitude is the amount of displacement from the neutral position.
2007-01-29 13:57:55 · answer #3 · answered by ERNMOND W 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
If you NEED FOR TAKE HOME TEST, maybe you should KNOW IT YOURSELF YOU LAZY TWIT.
2007-01-29 14:31:17 · answer #4 · answered by poorcocoboiboi 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋