# A teacher demonstrates two types of wave using a long slinky spring stretched along the floor. In one demonstration, the teacher shakes the end of the spring from side to side. In the second demonstration, the teacher pushes and pulls the end of the spring back and forth along its length. State which type of wave is produced in each demonstration and explain how energy is transferred by a wave without any overall transfer of matter.

> Eduqas A-Level Physics — 2.4 The nature of waves · State and Explain · 5 marks

## Mark scheme (5 marks)

1. Shaking the end side to side produces a transverse wave
2. Pushing and pulling the end back and forth produces a longitudinal wave
3. A wave is a disturbance / oscillation that travels through a medium (or through space)
4. The particles of the medium oscillate / vibrate about their fixed (equilibrium / rest) positions
5. Energy is passed from one particle to the next / transferred along the wave without the particles permanently moving from their original positions

## Key terms

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

## Related

- [Revision notes for Eduqas A-Level Physics](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/learn)
- [How to answer "State and 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-teacher-demonstrates-two-types-of-90a801e4) · Published by Druglandscape Ltd.