# A student sets up a long slinky spring on a smooth floor. She sends a single pulse along the spring by moving one end sideways once. She then sends a series of continuous waves along the spring. Describe what is meant by the amplitude, wavelength, and frequency of the continuous waves, and explain how the wave speed of the continuous waves could be determined without using any electronic equipment.

> Eduqas A-Level Physics — 2.5 Wave properties · Describe · 5 marks

## Mark scheme (5 marks)

1. Amplitude is the maximum displacement of a point on the spring from its undisturbed (rest/equilibrium) position
2. Wavelength is the distance from one point on a wave to the next identical/corresponding point (e.g. crest to crest or compression to compression)
3. Frequency is the number of complete waves (cycles) passing a point per second / produced per second
4. Measure the distance a wave (or pulse) travels using a ruler/tape measure
5. Measure the time taken for the wave/pulse to travel that distance using a stopwatch, then calculate speed = distance ÷ time

## Key terms

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

## Related

- [Revision notes for Eduqas A-Level Physics](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-sets-up-a-long-e81c7164) · Published by Druglandscape Ltd.