What is the difference between a compressional wave with a large amplitude and one with a small amplitude?

1 Answer
Nov 7, 2017

The one with the large amplitude is louder (in the case of sound) and generally more dangerous.

Explanation:

The amplitude of a wave is related to the energy it carries (specifically energy is proportional to the energy squared, so twice the amplitude gives you 4 times the energy on arrival.)

The fact that you specified compression wave indicates that we are probably talking about sound/ultrasound though others (p-waves in the crust after an earthquake for example) do exist.