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P waves speed up, slow down, or bend slightly as they pass through different layers of the Earth due to changes in density and composition. This change in speed and direction helps scientists determine the Earth's internal structure.

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1y ago

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What waves go through the earth's atmosphere?

Elastic waves, particularly sound waves and seismic waves, can travel through the Earth's atmosphere. Sound waves propagate through the air, while seismic waves are generated by earthquakes and travel through the Earth's crust and mantle.


What directions does P waves and S waves go?

P waves travel through both solid and liquid layers of the Earth in a straight line, while S waves are blocked by Earth's outer core and cannot pass through liquids. Therefore, S waves only travel through the solid layers of the Earth.


What do seismic waves tell us about the earth's interior?

Seismic waves tell us about the Earth's interior by their behavior and speed. They reveal information such as the density, composition, and state of materials within the Earth. By analyzing the travel time and behavior of seismic waves, scientists can infer details about the structure and properties of Earth's interior layers.


What happens when s waves hit the outer core of earth?

S-waves cannot travel through the liquid outer core because it cannot support shear stress. Instead, they are either absorbed or reflected when they reach the outer core boundary, causing a shadow zone on the opposite side of the Earth from the earthquake where these waves are not detected.


Seismic waves that go straight through earth make the trip very quickly what does that tell us about the composition of earths center?

Seismic waves that go straight through the Earth quickly suggest that the Earth's center is more dense and solid. This indicates that the Earth's core is made up of heavy elements, like iron and nickel, and is possibly in a solid state due to the speed of these waves.

Related Questions

What waves go through the earth's atmosphere?

Elastic waves, particularly sound waves and seismic waves, can travel through the Earth's atmosphere. Sound waves propagate through the air, while seismic waves are generated by earthquakes and travel through the Earth's crust and mantle.


What type of waves is produced during an earthquake?

Seismic waves consist ofP waves which travel through the Earth fast. They compress the medium they travel through;S waves which also travel through the Earth, shearing the solid Earth as they go. S waves do not travel through liquid;Surface waves which can cause the Earth to undulate like water waves or surface waves that cause the Earth to shear.


What directions does P waves and S waves go?

P waves travel through both solid and liquid layers of the Earth in a straight line, while S waves are blocked by Earth's outer core and cannot pass through liquids. Therefore, S waves only travel through the solid layers of the Earth.


What earthquakes travel through the earth's mantle?

Primary waves and secondary waves (body waves). Love waves and rayleigh waves (surface waves) do not travel through the earth's mantle. Though secondary waves do not go through liquids, the asthenosphere is only a semi-liquid, so secondary waves can still go through it.


Why can only p waves travel through the molten core of the Earth?

P waves are strong waves so that's the reason they can go through the core of the earth. The core would "break" any other wave because there not strong enough to go through.


Does a surface wave go through the body of the earth or along the surface?

Surface waves (as the name suggests) travel along Earth's surface. Seismic waves that travel through earth's interior are known instead as body waves.


What are the differences between the waves?

P' waves and 'S' waves are both seismic waves that travel through the Earth. 'S'waves are unable to go through any liquid. 'P' waves, on the other hand, can go through both solids and liquids.


What do seismic waves tell us about the earth's interior?

Seismic waves tell us about the Earth's interior by their behavior and speed. They reveal information such as the density, composition, and state of materials within the Earth. By analyzing the travel time and behavior of seismic waves, scientists can infer details about the structure and properties of Earth's interior layers.


Which waves cannot go through the earth's atmosphere?

Here is a great graph Go to the Related Links below this window.


What ares seismic waves?

Seismic waves are vibrations that travel through the Earth carrying the energy released during earthquakes. == Seismic waves are waves that are a result of earthquake activity in the earth. There are body and surface waves. Body waves happen inside the earth and are called P (longitudinal) and S (transverse) waves. Surface waves happen on the Earth's surface and are called Rayleigh and Love waves. P-waves (primary waves) go first, compress and expand the earth, and are faster. S-waves (secondary waves) go second, move the ground up and down or side to side, and are not as fast as P waves.


What seismic waves?

Seismic waves are vibrations that travel through the Earth carrying the energy released during earthquakes. == Seismic waves are waves that are a result of earthquake activity in the earth. There are body and surface waves. Body waves happen inside the earth and are called P (longitudinal) and S (transverse) waves. Surface waves happen on the Earth's surface and are called Rayleigh and Love waves. P-waves (primary waves) go first, compress and expand the earth, and are faster. S-waves (secondary waves) go second, move the ground up and down or side to side, and are not as fast as P waves.


What happens when s waves hit the outer core of earth?

S-waves cannot travel through the liquid outer core because it cannot support shear stress. Instead, they are either absorbed or reflected when they reach the outer core boundary, causing a shadow zone on the opposite side of the Earth from the earthquake where these waves are not detected.