What is the difference between a primary wave and a secondary wave?

Answer 1

Primary seismic waves (also called P-waves) are a type of ground motion most commonly associated with earthquakes, though the waves are also caused by large explosions (nuclear tests) and would be expected from an asteroid impact. For a primary seismic wave, the motion of the ground is caused by a series of compressions and decompressions in which the ground at any point is moving on an axis which passes through the epicenter, while each individual wave front is spherical around the epicenter. Since solids (such as rock) are not readily compressible by significant amounts, the vibratory movement is very slight and the wave travels very rapidly. As a consequence, P-waves travel faster than Secondary waves (S-waves) also generated by the same seismic event. Consequently, P-waves are the source of the deep rumbling sound which can be heard at the beginning of an earthquake just before the far more destructive S-waves arrive.

Answer 2

Primary waves are also known as compression waves and manipulate the medium in which they travel through.

Secondary waves also known as shear waves travel through the interior of the Earth.

Answer 3

A primary wave is a strong vibration or wave that hits earths surface (P) and a secondary wave (S) is a wave that hits soon after but not nearly as big.

Read more: Distinguish_between_primary_wave_and_a_secondary_wave

Answer 4

the primary wave that travels through as elastic motions at the highest speed

Answer 5

the primary wave is the first wave to reach the recording station from the focus of the earthquake.

Answer 6

yes they are an s wave