Amplitude

Is a way to define one of the characteristics of the sine wave, where Amplitude is measure of the oscillations during a single wave cycle. In the transmission of sound or data through cables and wires, Amplitude Modulation (as in AM radio) is a way to use the phenomenon of Amplitude within the sine wave to encode information. AM has formed the basis for most modern electronic communication by using the AC current flowing through a wire as carrier wave upon which to encode data.  The ability to modulate the strength or the “amplitude” of the signal is what allows a speaker to vibrate at different frequencies that you then perceive as music, or a television signal to be varied in light intensity or pixels at reception so that we see complete pictures.