A Level Physics Practice Exam

When waves travel through a medium, which of the following statements is correct regarding their energy?

1. Energy is lost due to the medium

2. Energy is only transferred in one direction

3. Energy is transmitted through particle vibrations

4. Energy remains constant regardless of wave type

The correct answer is: Energy is transmitted through particle vibrations

The correct statement highlights that energy is transmitted through particle vibrations in a medium. In physical terms, when a wave travels through a medium, such as sound waves moving through air or water waves rippling across a lake, energy is indeed transferred by the oscillation or vibration of particles within that medium. For instance, in a sound wave, air molecules vibrate back and forth as the wave passes. These vibrations involve kinetic energy being passed from one particle to the next, facilitating the energy transfer without the particles themselves traveling with the wave. Hence, the notion that energy travels through these particle vibrations reinforces the foundational concept of mechanical waves. Considering the other options, while energy can be lost due to various factors such as friction or viscous damping in real-world scenarios, the statement about loss does not universally apply to all types of waves. The notion that energy is only transferred in one direction oversimplifies the behavior of waves, as many waves can exhibit multidirectional characteristics depending on the medium and type of wave. Lastly, the claim that energy remains constant regardless of wave type is inaccurate because different waves can have varying energy levels based on their amplitude and frequency. Thus, the correct answer succinctly captures the essential mechanism by which energy is conveyed in wave phenomena.