Amplitude and wavelength are two fundamental properties used to describe sound waves. They represent different aspects of a wave's characteristics:
Amplitude: Amplitude refers to the magnitude or intensity of a sound wave. It measures the maximum displacement of particles in the medium from their rest position as the wave passes through. In simpler terms, it indicates the height or strength of the wave. Amplitude is directly related to the volume or loudness of a sound. Greater amplitude corresponds to a louder sound, while smaller amplitude corresponds to a softer sound.
Wavelength: Wavelength, on the other hand, refers to the spatial length of one complete cycle of a sound wave. It represents the distance between two adjacent points in the wave that are in the same phase, such as two crests or two troughs. In other words, it is the distance over which the wave pattern repeats itself. Wavelength is usually represented by the Greek letter lambda (λ) and is measured in units of length, such as meters or centimeters.
To summarize, amplitude describes the intensity or strength of a sound wave, while wavelength represents the physical length of one complete cycle of the wave. Amplitude determines the loudness of a sound, while wavelength determines the pitch or frequency of a sound.