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amplitude distortion
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amplitude distortion

physics
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Quick Summary

Amplitude distortion occurs in acoustics and electronics when a signal's waveform is altered, specifically when different frequency components are amplified or attenuated unequally. This is a type of signal degradation.1

In physics, amplitude refers to the maximum displacement of a point on a vibrating body or wave from its equilibrium position. For sound waves, amplitude is related to the pressure fluctuation and determines the wave's intensity, which is perceived as loudness. While sound waves typically propagate linearly with little change, significant nonlinearities can develop when the wave's amplitude becomes large, leading to amplitude distortion. This can happen in amplifiers if the output signal's shape is altered compared to the input.234

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4 Britannica Sources
  1. distortion
  2. sound - Mathematical values
  3. amplifier
  4. amplitude

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