What are waves?

1 mark · Easy

When you shout across a field, your friend on the other side hears you. Has any of your breath (the air you breathed out) travelled to your friend? Explain briefly.

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No, the air does not travel that far; only the sound wave (energy) travels.

Also accept: No, only energy travels, not the air from your breath; No, the air stays where it is; only the wave travels

Common mistakes: Yes, your breath reaches your friend

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Marking points

B1 · 1 mark · States that only sound/energy travels, not the air itself.

Worked solution

No, the air itself does not travel to your friend. The sound energy travels as a wave through the air.