Chapter 21, Problem 1RCQ

How do P-waves travel through Earth’s interior? How do S-waves travel through Earth’s interior?

To determine

The travelling methods of P-waves and S-waves through Earth’s interior.

Answer to Problem 1RCQ

The travelling method of P-waves is compression and rarefaction and S-waves is shear movement of particles.

Explanation of Solution

The huge energy released from an earthquake moves as waves and they are named as P-waves and S-waves.

The P-waves are also known as Primary waves. P-waves propagates by the method of compression and rarefaction of particles in the Earth’s interior. It travels through both solid and liquids. However, P-waves travels faster in solids than in liquids.

The S-waves are also known as Secondary waves. S-waves propagates by the method of movement of particles at right angle to the movement of wave. S-waves cannot be transmitted by liquid. However, S-waves can pass through solids with reduced speed.