Final answer:
The maximum distance a wave can move from the resting position in either direction is known as the amplitude.
Step-by-step explanation:
The furthest away a wave can move from the resting position in either direction is known as the amplitude of the wave. The amplitude is a measure of the maximum displacement from the equilibrium position or the center line of the wave to the top of the crest or to the bottom of the trough. It is typically measured in meters or centimeters, depending on the size of the waves. Wavelength, frequency, and crests are other characteristics of a wave, but they do not represent this maximum displacement.