P6__Waves

Properties

Primary Waves

Longitudinal Waves Pass through liquids and solids Travel faster then s-waves

Secondary Waves

Transverse Waves Can only travel through solids


Detection

When an earthquake happens the seismic waves travel through the earth

S-Wave

S-waves travel through the earth in a curve pattern, curving outwards to the sides, due to density changes in the mantle. Where s-waves can’t be detected is the s-wave shadow zone. This is due to the fact that s-wave can’t travel through liquids telling us that the earth has a liquid core.

P-Wave

P-waves also travel through in a curve pattern however they can be detected in a lager are as they can travel through the liquid core. There are still 2 small p-wave shadow zones at about from the earthquake due to p-waves travelling slower in liquid causing them to refract and again refracting when leaving the outer core. This again confirms that the outer core is liquid. Sometimes faint p-waves can be detected in the shadow zone, this shows that there is a solid inner core.