# A student sends a wave along a rope by moving one end up and down repeatedly. Describe the key properties of this wave, including what is meant by amplitude, frequency and wavelength.

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

## Mark scheme (5 marks)

1. Amplitude is the maximum displacement of a point on the wave from its rest (equilibrium) position
2. Frequency is the number of complete waves (cycles) produced per second
3. Wavelength is the distance between two successive points that are in phase (e.g. crest to crest or trough to trough)
4. The wave transfers energy along the rope without the rope itself moving along (particles oscillate perpendicular to the direction of energy transfer, making it a transverse wave)
5. The wave speed is related to frequency and wavelength: a higher frequency or longer wavelength produces a faster wave (wave speed = frequency × wavelength)

## Key terms

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

## Related

- [Revision notes for WJEC A-Level Physics (Wales)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/learn)
- [How to answer "Describe" 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-student-sends-a-wave-along-153f731d) · Published by Druglandscape Ltd.