# Explain how a sound wave is produced by a vibrating loudspeaker and how that sound energy is transferred through the air to reach a listener standing some distance away.

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

## Mark scheme (4 marks)

1. The vibrating loudspeaker cone causes the surrounding air molecules to vibrate / moves air molecules back and forth
2. This creates alternating regions of compression (where molecules are closer together / higher pressure) and rarefaction (where molecules are further apart / lower pressure)
3. The wave travels through the air as a longitudinal wave, with the direction of particle vibration parallel to the direction of wave travel / energy transfer
4. Energy is transferred from particle to particle / the disturbance passes through the medium, but the air molecules themselves do not travel from loudspeaker to listener

## 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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