# A microphone connected to an oscilloscope is used to detect a sound wave produced by a tuning fork. The oscilloscope displays a repeating wave pattern. Explain what this tells us about the nature of sound waves, including how energy is transferred and how the particles of the medium behave.

> WJEC A-Level Physics (Wales) — 2.4 The nature of waves · Explain · 5 marks

## Mark scheme (5 marks)

1. Sound is a longitudinal wave
2. Particles vibrate parallel to / in the same direction as the direction of energy transfer (wave travel)
3. The wave transfers energy from the tuning fork to the microphone
4. The medium (air) is not transferred — particles return to their original/equilibrium positions
5. The repeating pattern shows the wave is periodic / the vibrations are regular

## Key terms

- [medium](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/medium)

## 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-microphone-connected-to-an-oscilloscope-327c5f23) · Published by Druglandscape Ltd.