Question

wave properties review
directions: answer the question about amplitude.
what is the amplitude of the wave above?
meters

Explanation:

Step1: Recall Amplitude Definition

Amplitude is the maximum displacement from the equilibrium (midline) to a crest or trough.

Step2: Analyze the Graph

The equilibrium line is the horizontal axis (y=0). The crest reaches up to y=4? Wait, no, looking at the vertical axis (distance in meters), the markings: from 0, the first crest is at 4? Wait, no, the vertical axis has ticks. Wait, the vertical axis: the middle is 0, then up to 4, with ticks. Wait, the wave's crest is at 4? No, wait, the vertical axis: let's check the scale. The vertical axis (distance, m) has 0 in the middle, and the crest is at 4? Wait, no, maybe the ticks: from 0, the first mark above is 2, then 4? Wait, no, the graph: the wave starts at (0,0), goes up to a crest. The vertical axis: the numbers are 4, 2, 0, -2, -4? Wait, no, the left side: the vertical axis is labeled Distance (m), with marks at 4, 2, 0, -2, -4? Wait, no, the first mark above 0 is 2? Wait, no, the graph: the crest is at 4? Wait, no, let's look again. The vertical axis: the top is 4, then 2, then 0, then -2, -4. So the distance from 0 (equilibrium) to the crest (top of the wave) is 4? Wait, no, wait the wave's crest: when x=0, the wave is at 0, then goes up to a crest. Wait, maybe the vertical axis: the first tick above 0 is 2, then 4? Wait, no, the graph shows that from the equilibrium (the horizontal line), the maximum height (amplitude) is 4? Wait, no, maybe I misread. Wait, the vertical axis: the numbers are 4, 2, 0, -2, -4. So the distance from 0 to the crest is 4? Wait, no, the wave's crest is at 4? Wait, no, the wave starts at (0,0), goes up to a crest. Let's check the vertical scale: each major tick is 2? Wait, no, the first mark above 0 is 2, then 4. So the crest is at 4? Wait, no, the amplitude is the maximum displacement. So from equilibrium (0) to crest (4) would be 4? But that seems too big. Wait, maybe the vertical axis: the middle is 0, and the crest is at 4? Wait, no, maybe the vertical axis is in meters, and the amplitude is the distance from 0 to the crest. Wait, the graph: the wave has a crest at y=4? No, wait, the vertical axis: the top is 4, so the amplitude is 4? Wait, no, wait the wave's height: from 0 to the top is 4? But that would mean amplitude is 4. But maybe the scale is different. Wait, no, let's re-express. Amplitude is the maximum distance from the rest position (equilibrium) to a point on the wave. So in the graph, the equilibrium is the horizontal line (y=0). The crest (highest point) is at y=4? Wait, no, the vertical axis: the first mark above 0 is 2, then 4. So the distance from 0 to the crest is 4? Wait, no, maybe the vertical axis: the tick marks are 4, 2, 0, -2, -4, so each major tick is 2 units? Wait, no, the numbers are 4, 2, 0, -2, -4, so the distance between 0 and 4 is 4 units, but the ticks: between 0 and 4, there are two ticks (2 and 4), so each tick is 2? Wait, no, the first tick above 0 is 2, then 4. So the amplitude is 4? Wait, no, maybe I made a mistake. Wait, the wave's crest: when you look at the graph, the highest point (crest) is at 4 meters from the equilibrium? Wait, no, the vertical axis is distance, so the amplitude is the maximum displacement, so from 0 to the crest is 4? Wait, no, wait the graph: the wave starts at (0,0), goes up to a crest. The vertical axis: the first mark above 0 is 2, then 4. So the crest is at 4? So amplitude is 4? Wait, no, maybe the vertical axis is labeled with 4 at the top, but the actual amplitude is 4? Wait, no, let's check the definition again. Amplitude is the maximum distance from the midline (equilibrium) to a crest or trough. So in the graph, the midline is the horizontal line (y=0). The crest is at y=4? So amplitude is 4? Wait, but maybe the vertical axis is in meters, and the distance from 0 to the crest is 4 meters? Wait, no, maybe I misread the vertical axis. Wait, the vertical axis: the numbers are 4, 2, 0, -2, -4. So the amplitude is 4 meters? Wait, but that seems large. Wait, maybe the vertical axis is scaled with each major tick as 2 meters? Wait, no, the first tick above 0 is 2, then 4. So from 0 to 4 is 4 meters. So the amplitude is 4? Wait, no, wait the wave's crest: when x=0, the wave is at 0, then goes up to a crest. Wait, maybe the vertical axis is labeled with 4 at the top, but the actual amplitude is 4. Wait, but let's confirm. The amplitude is the maximum displacement from equilibrium. So if the equilibrium is at 0, and the crest is at 4, then amplitude is 4. But wait, maybe the vertical axis is in meters, and the distance from 0 to the crest is 4 meters. So the amplitude is 4. Wait, but maybe I made a mistake. Wait, the graph: the wave has four cycles from x=0 to x=8. The vertical axis: the top is 4, so amplitude is 4. Wait, no, maybe the vertical axis is 4, 2, 0, -2, -4, so each unit is 2? No, the numbers are 4, 2, 0, -2, -4, so the distance between 0 and 4 is 4 units. So amplitude is 4 meters. Wait, but let's check again. The definition of amplitude: maximum displacement from rest position. So rest position is the horizontal line (equilibrium). The crest is at 4, so amplitude is 4. Wait, but maybe the vertical axis is in meters, and the amplitude is 4 meters. So the answer is 4.

Answer:

4