What is the peak-to-peak voltage of a sine wave?

The peak-to-peak voltage of a sine wave is defined as the total voltage difference measured from the maximum positive peak to the maximum negative peak. This measurement gives a clear indication of the full extent of voltage variation in the waveform, encompassing the entire range that the voltage oscillates through.

In practical terms, if you take a sine wave and look at its graph, the peak-to-peak voltage captures how high the wave goes above the zero baseline (the positive peak) and how low it goes below that baseline (the negative peak). This is fundamental in understanding AC signals, where the sine wave is a prevalent form of waveform used to represent alternating current.

This concept is crucial in applications like audio and radio waves, where the peak-to-peak voltage helps in determining the strength and intensity of the signal transmitted. Voltage measured from the average point, at the midpoint of the wave, or when the current is at its peak, do not accurately represent the total range of variation that the sine wave exhibits, which is exactly what the peak-to-peak voltage is intended to convey.