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A little background first.
When an earthquake wave arrives at a seismograph station, the first wave to hit is called the P wave. The second is called the S wave.
It turns out that the P wave is a compression wave and the S wave is a shear wave. A compression wave is a direct shove (or tug) parallel to the direction the wave is traveling. A shear wave is a side-to-side shake at right angles to the direction the wave is traveling; transverse to the travel direction, in other words. Therefore the S wave is also known as a transverse wave.
The letters P and S actually come from the Latin for First and Second, "primus" and 'secundus." The English "primary" and "secondary" doesn't quite have the same meaning, but it will help you remember which arrives when. "Push" and "Shear" or "Shake" will help you remember which kind of wave has which kind of motion.
The time between the P and S wave occurs because the compression wave travels through the Earth faster than the shear wave does. Since the shear wave is slower, the further you are from the epicenter of the earthquake the longer the time between the P and S waves. Seismologists use this to determine how far the epicenter was from the seismograph. And by using distances from three or more seismometer stations at once, they can find the earthquake's epicenter.
Another neat thing about the P and S waves is that a compression wave will go through a fluid like water or air, while a shear wave won't. Because S waves won't go through the outer layers of the Earth's core, we know that those layers are liquid.
Wiki User
∙ 14y ago
Wiki User
∙ 9y agoP waves move along a horizontals path, expanding and contracting material.
Wiki User
∙ 14y agoA P-wave is also known as a compression or pressure wave.
Wiki User
∙ 9y agoP waves are called push-pull waves because the move along a horizontal path. As they do this, they expand and contract material.
Wiki User
∙ 12y agoi dont know i need help on this question someone help me
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What does the S wave and P wave stand for?
P waves are primary waves and S waves are called secondary waves
What waves are that travel outward from the epicenter are called?
P waves
When do P waves arrive at the surface in relation to S waves?
when the P waves arrive at the surface in relation to s waves and surface waves is called the promary waves.
What is the first type of wave in an earthquake called?
P waves go first, and are fastest. (Primary Waves). S waves go second, and are next fastest. (Surface Waves). Surface waves go last, and although slowest are also most destructive.
Which waves are fastest?
Primary waves as they travel like a worm, compressing and then expanding
What does the S wave and P wave stand for?
P waves are primary waves and S waves are called secondary waves
What types of waves are p waves and s waves called?
seismic waves
What waves are that travel outward from the epicenter are called?
P waves
When do P waves arrive at the surface in relation to S waves?
when the P waves arrive at the surface in relation to s waves and surface waves is called the promary waves.
What is the first type of wave in an earthquake called?
P waves go first, and are fastest. (Primary Waves). S waves go second, and are next fastest. (Surface Waves). Surface waves go last, and although slowest are also most destructive.
What type of seismic wave that compresses and expands the ground?
Longitudinal Waves
Which waves are fastest?
Primary waves as they travel like a worm, compressing and then expanding
Why are P-waves called P-waves?
They are given this name in seismology because they are the fastest travelling of the seismic body waves released by an earthquake. Because they are the fastest, they are detected by seismometer stations first. Hence P for primary wave.
Seismic from the focus that are compressional?
Called Primary, or P, waves :3
What happens the the p wave when they strike the inner core?
When the P wave strikes the inner core it bends and goes in a different direction.
Are P-waves and S-waves transverse or longitudinal waves?
P-waves are longitudinal and S-waves are transverse waves.
Are p waves transverse waves or longitudinal waves?
P-waves are longitudinal and S-waves are transverse waves.
