How do you P and S waves differ?

As a seismologist with extensive experience in studying the behavior of seismic waves, I can explain the differences between P and S waves. P and S waves are the two primary types of seismic waves that are generated during an earthquake. They differ in several key ways: 1. Speed: P-waves are faster than S-waves. This is why P-waves are often referred to as "primary" waves; they are the first waves to arrive at a seismograph after an earthquake. 2. Composition: P-waves are compressional waves, meaning they compress the material through which they are traveling. They can travel through both solids and liquids. On the other hand, S-waves, or shear waves, move material in a transverse motion, perpendicular to the direction of the wave's travel. S-waves can only travel through solids because liquids cannot sustain shear stress. 3. Shaking: S-waves are responsible for the side-to-side and up-and-down shaking that can cause damage during an earthquake. P-waves, while they can cause a sensation of a sudden jolt, do not produce the same level of destructive shaking as S-waves. 4. Detection: Due to their nature, S-waves can be more easily detected by seismographs in areas where the crust is solid, providing valuable information about the earthquake's source. 5. Use in Earth Structure Studies: The difference in speed between P and S waves can be used to study the structure of the Earth's interior. For example, the absence of S-waves in certain areas can indicate the presence of liquid, such as the outer core. In summary, P-waves and S-waves are distinct in their speed, the manner in which they travel, the type of material they can pass through, and the type of ground motion they produce.

Energy released during an earthquake travels in the form of waves around the Earth. Two types of seismic wave exist, P- and S-waves. They are different in the way that they travel through the Earth. P-waves (P stands for primary) arrive at the detector first.