amplitude of an electromagnetic wave

[mcgill2012]

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can someone clarify what the amplitude indicates? i know its the intensity, but is that a measure of the number of photons per unit area? i know that interference affects amplitude, but assuming no interference, what is amplitude?

 

[Rabolisk]

An electromagnetic wave is an oscillating electric and magnetic fields, and like any waves, it has amplitude. Like sound amplitude, which measures its intensity and ultimately its loudness, light amplitude affects its intensity and ultimately its brightness. Mathematically, intensity is proportional to amplitude squared.