S-wave
Contents
Key Stage 4
Meaning
S-waves are transverse seismic waves that travel through the Earth during an earthquake.
About S-waves
- S-waves are known as secondary waves because they travel slower than P-waves so they arrive at detectors second.
- S-waves can travel through solids but not through liquids. This means they can be used to detect magma, water and oil hidden under the surface of the Earth.
- S-waves are refracted as they move through the Earth because different layers of the Earth have different density.
- Seismic detectors can be used to observe S-waves at different locations on Earth during an earthquake and this information can be used to determine the structure of the Earth.
- S-waves do not travel through the core of the Earth which is evidence that the core must be a liquid.
References
AQA
- S wave, pages 210-11, GCSE Physics; Student Book, Collins, AQA
- S-waves, page 186, GCSE Physics; Third Edition, Oxford University Press, AQA
- S-waves, page 192, GCSE Physics, Hodder, AQA
- S-waves, page 90, GCSE Physics; The Revision Guide, CGP, AQA
- S-waves, pages 285, 286, GCSE Physics; The Complete 9-1 Course for AQA, CGP, AQA