# A teacher demonstrates waves using a long slinky spring stretched along the floor. The teacher pushes and pulls one end of the spring repeatedly along its length to produce a wave. Describe the wave produced and explain how energy is transferred along the spring.

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

> A long slinky spring is stretched along the floor. A teacher pushes and pulls one end of the spring repeatedly along its length.

## Mark scheme (5 marks)

1. The wave produced is a longitudinal wave
2. The particles (coils) of the spring vibrate parallel to the direction of energy transfer / wave travel
3. The wave consists of compressions (regions where the coils are pushed closer together)
4. The wave also consists of rarefactions (regions where the coils are spread further apart)
5. Energy is transferred along the spring by the vibrating particles passing on their energy to neighbouring particles / energy travels in the same direction as the wave without the spring itself moving along the floor

## Related

- [Revision notes for WJEC A-Level Physics (Wales)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/learn)
- [How to answer "Describe 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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