Here's a breakdown:
* Wave: A disturbance that travels through a medium or space, transferring energy without transferring matter.
* Amplitude: The maximum displacement of a point on the wave from its equilibrium position.
Think of a wave on the surface of water:
* The crest is the highest point of the wave.
* The trough is the lowest point of the wave.
* The amplitude is the distance from the equilibrium position (the level of the water when it's still) to the crest or the trough.
The amplitude is a key characteristic of a wave because it determines the wave's energy. A wave with a larger amplitude carries more energy.
