Wave amplitude formula_4 described by the equation: where The units of the amplitude depend on the type of wave. Transverse mechanical waves (e.g., a wave on a string) have an amplitude expressed as a distance (e.g., meters), longitudinal mechanical waves (e.g., sound waves) use units of pressure (e.g., pascals), and electromagnetic waves (a form of transverse vacuum wave) express the amplitude in terms of its electric field (e.g., volts/meter). The wavelength formula_30 is the distance between two sequential crests or troughs (or other equivalent points), generally is measured in meters. A wavenumber formula_17, the spatial frequency of the wave in radians
Sound pressure Since formula_18, the amplitude of the specific acoustic impedance is given by Consequently, the amplitude of the particle displacement is related to that of the acoustic velocity and the sound pressure by When measuring the sound pressure created by a sound source, it is important to measure the distance from the object as well, since the sound pressure of a "spherical" sound wave decreases as 1/"r" from the centre of the sphere (and not as 1/"r", like the sound intensity): This relationship is an "inverse-proportional law". If the sound pressure "p" is measured at a distance "r" from the centre