Final answer:
The difference between alpha and beta waves is that alpha waves have greater synchronization, are present during NREM stage 1 sleep with frequencies of 8-12 Hz, and have higher amplitudes compared to the higher frequency (13-30 Hz) and lower amplitude beta waves of wakefulness.
Step-by-step explanation:
One difference between alpha and beta waves is that alpha waves show a greater synchronization. Alpha waves have a frequency of 8-12 Hz and are characteristic during the early part of NREM stage 1 sleep, having higher amplitude compared to beta waves. Beta waves, on the other hand, are typical during wakefulness, exhibit the highest frequency (13-30 Hz) among brain waves, have the lowest amplitude, and show more variability.