S-wave

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

Edexcel

S-waves, pages 62-63, GCSE Physics, Pearson Edexcel