The amplitude of a wave refers to the maximum displacement or distance that a particle of the medium (such as air, water, or a string) moves from its rest position when a wave passes through it. In simpler terms, it represents the height or intensity of a wave. The amplitude of a wave is determined by the energy of the source that creates the wave. A wave with a higher energy source will typically have a larger amplitude, while a wave with a lower energy source will have a smaller amplitude.
On the other hand, the wavelength of a wave is the distance between two consecutive points that are in phase with each other. It is commonly represented by the Greek letter lambda (λ). The wavelength determines the spatial extent of a wave and is inversely proportional to the frequency of the wave. In other words, shorter wavelengths correspond to higher frequencies, and longer wavelengths correspond to lower frequencies.
The wavelength of a wave is influenced by the source of the wave and the medium through which it propagates. For example, in the case of electromagnetic waves (such as light), the wavelength is determined by the energy level of the photons that make up the wave. In terms of sound waves, the wavelength is affected by the frequency of the vibrating source and the properties of the medium through which the sound travels (e.g., temperature, pressure, density).
In summary, the amplitude of a wave is determined by the energy of the source, while the wavelength is influenced by the frequency and the properties of the medium.