How are P waves different from S waves?(1 point)

Responses

P waves cause damage, and S waves do not cause damage.
P waves cause damage, and S waves do not cause damage.

P waves travel slowly, and S waves travel quickly.
P waves travel slowly, and S waves travel quickly.

P waves push and pull in the same direction as the wave, and S waves move up and down.
P waves push and pull in the same direction as the wave, and S waves move up and down.

P waves move under Earth’s surface, and S waves move along Earth’s surface.
P waves move under Earth’s surface, and S waves move along Earth’s surface.

P waves push and pull in the same direction as the wave, and S waves move up and down.

P waves push and pull in the same direction as the wave, and S waves move up and down.

The correct response is: P waves push and pull in the same direction as the wave, and S waves move up and down.

To understand how P waves and S waves differ, we need to look at their characteristics. P waves, also known as primary waves, are a type of seismic wave that are the first to be detected after an earthquake occurs. They are compressional waves that push and pull in the same direction as the wave travels. This means that as the P wave travels through the Earth, it causes particles in the ground to move back and forth parallel to the direction of wave propagation.

On the other hand, S waves, also known as secondary waves, are a different type of seismic wave that follow P waves. Unlike P waves, S waves are shear waves that move up and down or side to side perpendicular to the direction of wave propagation. As S waves pass through the Earth, they cause particles in the ground to move in a transverse motion.

These differences in motion between P waves and S waves contribute to their varying effects. P waves are faster and can travel through both solid and liquid materials, while S waves are slower and can only propagate through solids. Due to their different motion and ability to travel through different mediums, P waves can cause damage to structures, while S waves are known to cause more severe ground shaking.

So, to summarize, P waves push and pull in the same direction as the wave, while S waves move up and down perpendicular to the wave's direction.