What is Amplitudes: Definition and 108 Discussions

The amplitude of a periodic variable is a measure of its change in a single period (such as time or spatial period). There are various definitions of amplitude (see below), which are all functions of the magnitude of the differences between the variable's extreme values. In older texts, the phase of a period function is sometimes called the amplitude.

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  1. C

    Agree or Disagree? Analyzing Wave Amplitudes

    For this, The two statements highlighted do not seem to agree. I think the first statement highlighted is referring to A as initial amplitude (which we can denote ##A_i##) of the traveling waves before there constructive interference to form antinodes with an amplitude 2A and nodes of an...
  2. Mayhem

    I Adding trig functions with different amplitudes

    The trig identities for adding trig functions can be seen: But here the amplitudes are identical (i.e. A = 1). However, what do I do if I have two arbitrary, real amplitudes for each term? How would the identity change? Analysis: If the amplitudes do show up on the RHS, we would expect them...
  3. Jason-Li

    Comp Sci Harmonic Amplitudes - 3rd & 101st

    I have attempted the question using the large formula here with figures from the waveform with n as 3 & 101: however I think that the large formula is for the total waveform encompassing all harmonics as the 3rd and 101st harmonic amplitudes are very similar 10.9662222 *10^-6V for the 3rd...
  4. entropy1

    I Why are there no probability amplitudes in MWI?

    If I consider the MWI, one of the notions for what happens during measurement is that the initial wavefunction, if I use Dirac notation and two dimensions, ##|A\rangle+|B\rangle## undergoes the transformation ##(|A\rangle+|B\rangle)|E_{before}\rangle \rightarrow...
  5. E

    I Steps behind Meson decay amplitudes

    I am a graduate student with a somewhat basic level of exposure to qft. As part of my degree I have been tasked with calculating meson decay amplitudes in a paper provided to me by my supervisor but unfortunately I seem to be lacking some prior knowledge to understand why certain expressions are...
  6. M

    Mass correction in ##\phi^4##-theory

    Before I start, let me say that I have looked into textbooks and I know this is a standard problem, but I just can't get the result right... My attempt goes as follows: We notice that the amplitude of this diagram is given by $$\begin{align*}K_2(p) &= \frac{i(-i...
  7. B

    What are the approximate harmonic amplitudes for a trumpet vs flute?

    Playing 440 Hz, what are the approximate harmonic amplitudes for a trumpet? For a flute? This is to help students understand the differences when those instruments play the same note. I've been to many website, including University of New South Wales. I would like the frequency spectrum in...
  8. Diracobama2181

    A Scattering Amplitudes for Phi 4 Theory

    I know $$ i\mathcal{M}(\vec {k_1}\vec{k_2}\rightarrow \vec{p_1}\vec{p_2})(2\pi)^4\delta^{(4)}(p_1 +p_2-k_1-k_2) $$ =sum of all (all connected and amputated Feynman diagrams), but what is meant by 1 loop order? In other words, when I take the scattering matix element...
  9. T

    Amplitudes of longitudinal sound waves

    I'm coming back to physics after a long so apologies if this has a basic answer- How can the amplitude of a longitudinal sound wave be increased without increasing its wavelength? I understand what it would look like graphically if a low amplitude sine wave and high amplitude sine wave were...
  10. PeroK

    A Amplitudes for ##\phi^4## theory

    This is QFT for the gifted amateur, chapter 19, which is generating the various Feynman diagrams and rules. Some calculations are given but I encounter various problems when trying to work them all out. The starting point is that we want to calculate: $$\langle q| \hat S | p \rangle = (2\pi)^3...
  11. JD_PM

    I Rewriting Feynman amplitudes and the Dirac equation

    I was studying the photon polarization sum process (second edition QFT Mandl & Shaw,https://ia800108.us.archive.org/32/items/FranzMandlGrahamShawQuantumFieldTheoryWiley2010/Franz%20Mandl%2C%20Graham%20Shaw-Quantum%20Field%20Theory-Wiley%20%282010%29.pdf) and got stuck in how to get certain...
  12. Replusz

    I Vacuum amplitudes in \phi^4 theory

  13. I

    What is the Relationship Between Probability Amplitudes and the Sum of Terms?

    I am not sure what I can do with the equation. I realize that ## \vert c_1 \vert ^2 = \vert c_2 \vert ^2 = \frac{1}{2} ## does not mean that ## c_1 ^2 = c_2 ^2 = \frac{1}{2} ## or that ## c_1 = c_2 ##, so I don't know how to use it. I think ideally I might have something like ##P = \vert c_1...
  14. N

    A A relation in "Scattering Amplitudes in Gauge Theory....", Elvang et al

    If anyone is familiar with the calculation of scattering amplitudes using momentum twistors. I am working through the book "Scattering Amplitudes in Gauge Theory and Gravity" by Elvang and Huang. I am completely stumped by one step that should be simple. My question is about Eq. (5.45). My...
  15. gibberingmouther

    EM Wave Amplitudes and Fictional Force Field

    So, my game is coming along. My psychic energy shielding protects against EM radiation. The energy used for shielding gets depleted based on the type of EM radiation (the wavelength) and according to the amplitude of the radiation the energy shielding is exposed to. I can't find many numbers...
  16. Behrouz

    I Fourier transform, same frequencies, different amplitudes

    I understand that the Fourier transform is changing the domain (time/space) to frequency domain and provides the sin waves. I have seen the visualizations of Fourier transform and they are all showing the transform results as the list of frequencies and their amplitude. My question is, what if...
  17. E

    I Computing QED amplitudes in a collider

    Hi there, While reviewing the theory of Feynman diagrams for QED, a question came into my mind. In the textbooks, one usually deals with processes involving two incoming particles. But I could imagine a process where four particles are interacting (e.g. attached picture) and this can give a...
  18. DaTario

    I Probability Amplitudes and the History of Science

    Hi All, I would like to know who was the first scientist to use probability amplitudes in solving either math or physics problems. Best wishes, DaTario
  19. S

    A Spin-helicity formalism for gluon-gluon amplitudes

    Hello! In Schwarz's QFT he introduces in chapter 27 the Spin-Helicity formalism as a way of calculating gluon-gluon interactions much easier than going through all the Feynman calculus from the beginning to the end. It seems so amazing, but I am not sure I understand what is the fundamental...
  20. W

    I Time-dependence in probability amplitudes

    Hi all, I am rather confused about the following concept. Assistance is greatly appreciated! A time-dependent probability amplitude can be written as $$\langle a_k| e^{-\frac{i}{\hbar}\hat{H}t} |\psi\rangle$$ where ##a_k## is an eigenvalue. Suppose I want the x-representation of the ket, I can...
  21. C

    I Feynman, Hibbs Transition Amplitudes and Energy

    I’m currently self-studying from Feynman & Hibbs Quantum Mechanics and Path Integrals, but having trouble with a statement in the chapter on time-dependent perturbations. Background: They define $$V_{mn}(t_c) = \int_{-\infty}^\infty \phi_m^*(x_c)V(x_c,t_c)\phi_n(x_c)\,dx_c,$$ where V(x,t) is...
  22. A

    A Pp and pBARp scattering amplitudes

    Is A_pp(s,t)=A_pBARp(t,s) true based on crossing symmetry? Consider pp and pBARp elastic colissions (p + p -> p + p and p + BAR(p) -> p + BAR(p)). The scattering amplitudes are related by crossing in the following way: 1) A_pp(s,t)=A_pBARp(u,t) \simeq A_pBARp(-s-t,t) (energy large compared to...
  23. T

    Ratio of amplitudes in a damped oscillator

    Homework Statement Show that the ratio of two successive maxima in the displacement of a damped harmonic oscillator is constant.(Note: The maxima do not occur at the points of contact of the displacement curve with the curve Aeˆ(-yt) where y is supposed to be gamma. 2. Homework Equations The...
  24. D

    B How to increase wave amplitudes

    In reading about the photoelectric effect I noted that frequency accounts for the energy of the photon which must be high enough to liberate free electrons and the amplitude is the cause of intensity.Now, how can the amplitude be responsible for more than the liberation of more than one photon...
  25. Decimal

    I Amplitudes in a Michelson interferometer

    Hello, I am having a hard time understanding a result relating to a michelson interferometer. I always assumed that when the beam hits the wave splitter both resulting waves will have half the amplitude of the original wave. However using this assumption does not give the correct irradiance for...
  26. A

    B Does gravity affect quantum transition amplitudes?

    I suppose the answer is no, since there is no reason to believe that it does. Or is there any? Has this been tested experimentally? Or is there an obvious reason that it does or does not?
  27. W

    What Causes Equal Interference Amplitudes in Light Diffraction Patterns?

    Here's a picture that was in my textbook - they are the patterns of interference and diffraction of a light wave. I don't get why the interference amplitudes are all equal. Aren't they supposed to be higher in the middle and lower as they move away from the center??
  28. R

    Question about transfer function and amplitudes

    after substituting in your omega, can you multiply a transfer function by an input signal's amplitude, and expect the result to be the amplitude of the output? (once converted to polar) This might be a shortcut way to find your amplitude when you don't really need a representation of the whole...
  29. LarryS

    I Classical vs quantum wave amplitudes?

    In classical mechanics and EM, the energy carried by a wave is the amplitude squared. In QM the (complex) amplitude squared of the position-space wave function is the position probability density. Do physicists regard this as anything more than just an interesting coincidence? Has anybody...
  30. davidge

    I What order should we take when calculating QFT amplitudes?

    I have been reading about QFT amplitudes. It seems that difficulty increases as we consider more and more terms in the Dyson's expansion for the Scattering operator, and we need to normalize each of them if we want to get a sensible result. My question is, nature usually uses what order? I...
  31. J

    A Any good idea how non-abelian gauge symmetries emerge?

    I think the story where abelian, i.e. U(1), gauge symmetry comes from is pretty straight-forward: We describe massless spin 1 particles, which have only two physical degrees of freedom, with a spin 1 field, which is represented by a four-vector. This four-vector has 4 entries and therefore too...
  32. N

    Solve Envelope Amplitudes Homework

    Homework Statement This isn't homework, but rather a task I have to solve at work. I am a bit lost and don't know where to start and would like some hints on how to make this an automated calculation in MATLAB. I have an area, let say a square that is rotated 45 degree (this can change in...
  33. E

    Peak amplitudes of E and H fields (Poynting Vector)

    Homework Statement What are the associated peak amplitudes of the E and H fields if sunlight has a maximum intensity of 1400 W/m2 on the earth’s moon? Homework Equations I = <s> = 1/2 c ε0E2The Attempt at a Solution I = <s> = 1/2 c ε0E02 1400 = (1/2)(3*108)(8.85*10-12)(E02) 1400 /...
  34. R

    I Amplitudes of Fourier expansion of a vector as the generalized coordinates

    When discussing about generalized coordinates, Goldstein says the following: "All sorts of quantities may be impressed to serve as generalized coordinates. Thus, the amplitudes in a Fourier expansion of vector(rj) may be used as generalized coordinates, or we may find it convenient to employ...
  35. P

    According to Maxwell, a gamma ray can be as energetic as a radio wave (given equal E amplitudes)?

    According to the old thery of light the energy carried by by a wave is proportional to the amplitude of the electric field not to the frequency as Planck proposed, so an eletromagnetic radiation in the gamma spectrum carry the same energy as a radio one if their amplitude is the same? They only...
  36. Zahidur

    B Adding two waves with different amplitudes

    Would there be destructive interference if I had two waves that are superimposed and the peak of one wave met the trough of the other but they both have different amplitudes? If there isn't total destructive interference, then what does the final wave look like?
  37. A

    I QFT, event amplitudes and reversed time....

    Hi all, I've recently been reading a paper by Richard Muller and Shaun Maguire (which is not the exact topic of this post). In that work, the authors mention: "We note that in quantum field theory, very small, localized and rapid events contain amplitudes that can be interpreted as taking...
  38. W

    Calculating Amplitudes for Vertical Damper Testing | Automotive Test Machine

    Homework Statement In the automotive damper test machine mentioned in Task 1 the damper is mounted vertically, the top end connected to a static fixing, the bottom to a table which is moved vertically by an actuator. The moving mass is 500kg, and the design case for the rig is based upon...
  39. stevendaryl

    I Amplitudes, Probabilities and EPR

    Please read this Insight here: https://www.physicsforums.com/insights/quantum-amplitudes-probabilities-epr/
  40. I

    Studying Final project on scattering amplitudes: pros and cons?

    Hi everyone, with this thread I kindly seek for advice from more experienced people to hear as many opinions as possible. I will try to explain the situation clearly: I am doing a 4 years Msci programme in Theoretical Physics, in which I almost completed the third year. During the third year...
  41. T

    How do you compare the amplitudes of different frequencies?

    Hello everyone! I am in a pickle right now as I attempt to move forward in my research project on neurofeedback. I am trying to calculate the theta/beta ratio for individual subjects and then compare them statistically. The issue I am having is statistically comparing amplitudes of different...
  42. DaTario

    A Amplitudes of probability in Mathematics before QM

    Hi All, Was there any use of the concept of amplitudes of probability before their use in quantum mechanics? In connection to this question, who invented or was the first to use this resource? Best wishes, DaTario
  43. bananabandana

    Superposition of Two Travelling Waves, Different Amplitudes

    Homework Statement I'm looking at an E&M textbook - "Time-Harmonic Electromagnetic Fields". They state: "A more general ##x ## polarized field is one consisting of waves traveling in opposite directions with unequal amplitudes - i.e : (1) $$ E_{x} = Ae^{-jkz} +Ce^{jkz}$$ Let ## A ## and...
  44. Thor Shen

    How to get the lowest order ChPT amplitudes?

    Note from mfb: I fixed the LaTeX formulas http://image.keyan.cc/data/bcs/2015/0428/w84h1446064_1430226899_628.jpg I met some trouble by using latex on this version, so I try to add the image from the pdf, the Latex code is as follow if any help. The lowest order lagrangian for ChPT is...
  45. N

    Probability amplitudes & light / particle wavelengths

    So this is basic question but the more I read the more I am confusing myself! I was assuming that the wavelength of a photon was the same wavelength as the associated probability amplitude (although a complex number). So to make constructive interference it means one path takes say ten...
  46. T

    Computation of propagation amplitudes for KG field

    Note: I'm posting this in the Quantum Physics forum since it doesn't really apply to HEP or particle physics (just scalar QFT). Hopefully this is the right forum. In Peskin and Schroeder, one reaches the following equation for the spacetime Klein-Gordon field: $$\phi(x,t)=\int...
  47. R

    Number of amplitudes in one wave cycle

    Homework Statement During one complete cycle, a wave moves through ___ wavelength, ___ period, __ amplitudes Homework EquationsThe Attempt at a Solution Well I got 1 wavelength, 1 period, and 2 amplitudes But apparently the answer is 1 wavelength, 1 period, and 4 amplitudes But I don't see...
  48. PhysicsKid0123

    Extrapolating the Quality factor for decay in amplitudes

    Homework Statement By what factor does the amplitude decay in the time interval (which I had to find). E: stored energy γ:damping rate a: amplitude t: time Q: quality factor T:Period ω: frequency Homework Equations Q = 2∏E/(ΔE) The Attempt at a Solution I found the interval to be t=QT but...
  49. A

    Sound waves and amplitudes Problem

    1. If there is a sound wave traveling in the air, will the amount of air transported by the wave be proportional to the intensity of the wave? Here is my answer: yes, because as the energy of the wave is related to the square of the amplitude of oscillations, the more energy you have, the more...
  50. R

    Determining the ratio of wave amplitudes along a string

    Homework Statement A point mass M is concentrated at a point on a string of characteristic impedance ρc. A transverse wave of frequency ω moves in the positive x-direction and is partially reflected and transmitted at the mass. The boundary conditions are that the string displacements just to...
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