What is defined as the maximum displacement from the equilibrium position in a wave?

The maximum displacement from the equilibrium position in a wave is known as amplitude. It represents how far the wave's particles move from their rest position as the wave travels through a medium. In other words, amplitude measures the height of the wave from its central baseline to its peak or trough. This characteristic is crucial because it is directly related to the energy carried by the wave; higher amplitudes typically indicate more energy.

Wavelength refers to the distance between successive crests or troughs of a wave, and frequency measures how many cycles of the wave pass a given point in a certain amount of time. Velocity represents the speed at which the wave travels through the medium. While all these terms are fundamental in the study of waves, amplitude specifically pertains to the displacement aspect of the wave's motion.