# A student sets up a ripple tank to study water waves. The student observes that the waves have a frequency of 4 Hz and a wavelength of 0.05 m. Explain what is meant by the terms frequency and wavelength, and describe how the wave speed could be determined from these two quantities.

> WJEC A-Level Physics (Wales) — 2.5 Wave properties · Explain · 5 marks

> Water waves travel across the surface of a ripple tank. The waves transfer energy from one place to another without transferring matter.

## Mark scheme (5 marks)

1. Frequency is the number of complete waves (oscillations/cycles) passing a point per second
2. Wavelength is the distance from one point on a wave to the equivalent point on the next wave (e.g. crest to crest or trough to trough)
3. Wave speed is calculated by multiplying frequency by wavelength (wave speed = frequency × wavelength)
4. Correct substitution or statement that wave speed = 4 × 0.05 = 0.2 m/s (or consistent numerical answer showing understanding of the equation)
5. Waves transfer energy from one place to another without transferring matter

## Key terms

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

## 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)

---
Source: [GradeNine](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/q/a-student-sets-up-a-ripple-8811c049) · Published by Druglandscape Ltd.