Here's a breakdown:

* Amplitude: The maximum displacement of a wave from its rest position. Think of it as the "height" of the wave.

* Rest position: The position of the wave when it's not moving.

Examples of waves with small amplitudes:

* A gentle ripple on a pond: The water surface moves only slightly up and down.

* A quiet sound: The sound waves have small pressure fluctuations.

* A faint light: The electromagnetic waves have low energy and create a small disturbance in the electric and magnetic fields.

In contrast, a wave with a large amplitude would have a significant displacement from its rest position. Think of a large ocean wave crashing on the shore or a very loud sound.