Seismic Wave
Contents
Key Stage 4
Meaning
Seismic waves are waves which travel through the ground during an earthquake.
About Seismic Waves
- Seismic waves travel through the Earth.
- Seismic waves can be used to identify structures inside the Earth as the waves can be reflected, refracted or absorbed by different materials under the surface of the Earth.
There are two types of seismic waves:
- P-waves - Known as primary waves which are longitudinal waves of compression through the ground during an earthquake. These are the fastest seismic waves and can travel through both solids and liquids.
- S-waves - Known as secondary waves which are transverse waves which cause the ground to shake from side to side during an earthquake. These are slower than P-waves and can travel through solids but they are absorbed by liquids.
References
AQA
- Seismic wave, pages 191, 210-11, GCSE Physics; Student Book, Collins, AQA
- Seismic waves, page 192, GCSE Physics, Hodder, AQA
- Seismic waves, page 90, GCSE Physics; The Revision Guide, CGP, AQA
- Seismic waves, pages 186-187, GCSE Physics; Third Edition, Oxford University Press, AQA
- Seismic waves, pages 285, 286, GCSE Physics; The Complete 9-1 Course for AQA, CGP, AQA
Edexcel
- Seismic waves, page 37, GCSE Physics; The Revision Guide, CGP, Edexcel
- Seismic waves, page 49, GCSE Physics, Pearson Edexcel
- Seismic waves, pages 109, 110, GCSE Physics, CGP, Edexcel