Question

What is the difference between amplitude and wavelength?

aThe distance from the center of the light wave to its high or low point.
bThe distance between one high point /low point and the next high point /low point.
cThe number of times that a light wave passes through a given point in a given amount of time.

Answer 1

Letter b is wavelength. Letter a is amplitude.

Step-by-step explanation:

Let's imagine a simple experiment. Imagine you have a long thick rope which one end is at your hands, and you start an oscillatory motion in it, moving your hand up and down. Then a friend of you take a picture of the rope in motion, looking at the rope laterally. Now let's find the wavelength and amplitude. Amplitude is "The distance from the center of the oscillation of the rope (when the rope was not in motion) to its high or low point", or the vertical displacement, in our experiment. On the other hand, wavelength is "The distance between one high point /low point and the next high point /low point". Take a look at a photo of a wave in your textbook and you will find the answer as well. ; )