Question

3. Differentiate between the P-Wave and the S-Wave.

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Answer 1

Answer:

Sudden disturbances of the earth release waves of energy called seismic waves. Earthquakes, explosions, even large trucks generate seismic waves. A seismograph measures seismic waves to determine the level of intensity of these disturbances. Natural and artificial disturbances generate several different types of seismic waves, such as the P, or primary wave, and the S, or secondary wave. The differences between them allow scientists to measure the strength and location of the disturbance.

TL;DR (Too Long; Didn't Read)

The major differences between P waves and S waves include wave speeds, wave types, travel capabilities, and wave sizes. Primary waves travel faster, move in a push-pull pattern, travel through solids, liquids and gases, and cause less damage due to their smaller size. Secondary waves travel slower, move in an up-and-down pattern, travel only through solids, and cause more damage due to their greater

Answer 2

P waves, or Primary waves, are the first waves to arrive at a seismograph. P waves are the fastest seismic waves and can move through solid, liquid, or gas. They leave behind a trail of compressions and rarefactions on the medium they move through. P waves are also called pressure waves for this reason. Certain animals, such as dogs, can feel the P waves much before an earthquake hits the crust (surface waves arrive). Humans can only feel the ramifications it has on the crust.

S waves, or secondary waves, are the second waves to arrive during an earthquake. They are much slower than P waves and can travel only through solids. It is after studying the trajectory of S waves through the layers of earth, scientists were able to conclude that the earth’s outer core is liquid.