How is amplitude related to wave energy?

Amplitude is a fundamental property of waves that indicates the maximum displacement of the wave from its rest position. When considering wave energy, there is a direct relationship between amplitude and the energy carried by the wave. As the amplitude increases, the energy associated with that wave also increases. This is particularly relevant in various types of waves, including sound waves and electromagnetic waves.

The energy of a wave is proportional to the square of its amplitude. Therefore, if a wave has a higher amplitude, it carries more energy, which can manifest as louder sounds in the case of sound waves or brighter light for electromagnetic waves. This principle highlights the significance of amplitude in determining the energy levels of different types of waves and explains why higher amplitude corresponds to greater energy.