Chapter 26, Problem 1RQ

Solution

To determine: The way P-waves travel through Earth's interior.

Answer:

P-waves are longitudinal waves that can travel through any medium whether it is solid, liquid or gas.

Explanation:

P-waves are the fastest seismic waves that travel longitudinally. When an earthquake happens, P-waves compress and expand the material through which it moves. Also, P-waves can travel through in all three states that are, solid, liquid, and gas.

Earth’s interior has four layers, among which three layers are solid, and one layer is liquid. As the P-waves travel deeper into the Earth’s layer, the speed of P-waves increases when the state of matter changes in the Earth’s interior.

Conclusion:

Therefore, P-waves are longitudinal waves that can travel through any medium whether it is solid, liquid or gas.