Do S or P waves travel faster?
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Isabella Lewis
Studied at the University of Sydney, Lives in Sydney, Australia.
Seismologists, who study earthquakes and the propagation of waves through the Earth, have determined that P-waves travel faster than S-waves. This is due to the fact that P-waves are a type of compression wave that can move through solids, liquids, and gases, applying a force in the direction of their propagation. On the other hand, S-waves, or shear waves, can only move through solids and cause particles to move perpendicular to the direction of the wave's travel.
In general, P-waves travel about 60% faster than S-waves on average. This difference in speed is one of the reasons why seismographs can provide early warnings for earthquakes; when a seismogram detects P-waves before S-waves, it indicates that an earthquake is occurring, and the time delay between the two can give an estimate of how far away the earthquake's epicenter is.
Works at the International Atomic Energy Agency, Lives in Vienna, Austria.
P-waves and S-waves are body waves that propagate through the planet. P-waves travel 60% faster than S-waves on average, because the interior of the Earth does not react the same way to both of them. P-waves are compression waves that apply a force in the direction of propagation.
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Julian Wilson
QuesHub.com delivers expert answers and knowledge to you.
P-waves and S-waves are body waves that propagate through the planet. P-waves travel 60% faster than S-waves on average, because the interior of the Earth does not react the same way to both of them. P-waves are compression waves that apply a force in the direction of propagation.
