Question

p.8.6 formative 1
carly and samantha conduct an activity using a slinky. carly fixes one end of the slinky against a fixed support. she then moves the slinky back and forth.
samantha sees the wave moving towards the fixed support. what is true for this mechanical wave?
it transmits energy only.
it transmits both energy and a medium.
it transmits matter only.
it transmits both energy and matter.

Explanation:

Mechanical waves, like the one in the slinky, require a medium (here, the slinky itself). They transmit energy through the vibration of particles in the medium. Particles of the medium (slinky coils) oscillate around their equilibrium positions but do not move permanently in the direction of wave propagation. So, the wave transmits energy, and the medium (slinky) is just the carrier - it doesn't get transmitted in the sense of moving as a whole to a new location. Matter (the actual slinky material) isn't transmitted away from the original setup in the direction of the wave's travel in the way energy is transmitted through the wave motion.

Answer:

It transmits energy only.