# A student stands some distance from a large wall and claps their hands once. A short time later, the student hears a second sound. Explain why the student hears a second sound and describe the nature of the wave responsible for both sounds.

> Eduqas GCSE Physics — 5.1 Waves in air, fluids and solids · Explain · 4 marks

## Mark scheme (4 marks)

1. The sound wave travels outward from the clap and strikes the wall
2. The sound wave is reflected off the wall back towards the student
3. The reflected wave takes longer to reach the student than the original / the reflected sound travels a greater total distance, so it arrives after a delay
4. Sound is a longitudinal wave in which particles vibrate parallel to the direction of energy transfer / compressions and rarefactions travel through the medium

## Related

- [Revision notes for Eduqas GCSE Physics](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-student-stands-some-distance-from-443221d7) · Published by Druglandscape Ltd.