# A guitar string vibrates and produces a sound wave that travels through the air. Explain what is meant by the terms wavelength and wave speed, and describe how the frequency and amplitude of the sound wave are related to what a listener hears.

> WJEC A-Level Physics (Wales) — 3.1 Wave properties · Explain · 5 marks

## Mark scheme (5 marks)

1. Wavelength is the distance between two successive points that are in phase (e.g. crest to crest or compression to compression) / the length of one complete wave cycle
2. Wave speed is the distance travelled by the wave per unit time / how fast the wave moves through the medium
3. Higher frequency means a higher-pitched sound is heard
4. Greater amplitude means a louder sound is heard
5. Amplitude is the maximum displacement of a point on the wave from its rest/equilibrium position

## Key terms

- [wavelength](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/wavelength)
- [wave speed](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/wave-speed)
- [frequency](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/frequency)
- [amplitude](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/amplitude)

## Related

- [Revision notes for WJEC A-Level Physics (Wales)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/learn)
- [How to answer "Explain" questions](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/tools/command-word-cheatsheet)
- [Practice this with AI marking (free)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/start)

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Source: [GradeNine](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/q/a-guitar-string-vibrates-and-produces-3ad82caf) · Published by Druglandscape Ltd.