Difference between revisions of "Seismic Wave"
Line 7: | Line 7: | ||
: '''Seismic waves''' can be used to identify structures inside the [[Earth]] as the [[wave]]s can be [[reflect]]ed, [[refract]]ed or [[Absorb (Physics)|absorbed]] by different [[material]]s under the surface of the [[Earth]]. | : '''Seismic waves''' can be used to identify structures inside the [[Earth]] as the [[wave]]s can be [[reflect]]ed, [[refract]]ed or [[Absorb (Physics)|absorbed]] by different [[material]]s under the surface of the [[Earth]]. | ||
There are two types of '''seismic waves''': | There are two types of '''seismic waves''': | ||
− | *[[P-wave]]s - Known as [[P-wave|primary waves]] which are [[longitudinal]] [[wave]]s of [[ | + | *[[P-wave]]s - Known as [[P-wave|primary waves]] which are [[longitudinal]] [[wave]]s of [[compression]] through the ground during an [[earthquake]]. These are the fastest [[Seismic Wave|seismic waves]] and can travel through both [[solid]]s and [[liquid]]s. |
*[[S-wave]]s - Known as [[S-wave|secondary waves]] which are [[transverse]] [[wave]]s which cause the ground to shake from side to side during an [[earthquake]]. These are slower than [[P-wave]]s and can travel through [[solid]]s but they are [[Absorb (Physics)|absorbed]] by [[liquid]]s. | *[[S-wave]]s - Known as [[S-wave|secondary waves]] which are [[transverse]] [[wave]]s which cause the ground to shake from side to side during an [[earthquake]]. These are slower than [[P-wave]]s and can travel through [[solid]]s but they are [[Absorb (Physics)|absorbed]] by [[liquid]]s. |
Revision as of 15:14, 6 April 2019
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.