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P waves are primary waves and S waves are called secondary waves

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12y ago
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6mo ago

In seismology, P waves refer to primary waves, which are the fastest seismic waves that travel through the Earth's interior. S waves, or secondary waves, are slower than P waves and travel only through solid materials, not through liquids or gases. Both types of waves are created by earthquakes and are used to study the Earth's interior.

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Q: What does the S wave and P wave stand for?
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What is S-P lag time?

The S-P lag time is the difference in seconds between the arrival of the S-wave and the P-wave during an earthquake. This lag time can be used to estimate the distance to the earthquake epicenter.


What happens to the distance between P waves and S waves as you travel farther away from the epicenter?

It is because the epicenter decreases their strenght as it is closer to it


What is the difference between arrival times of a p-wave and a s-wave?

P-waves are faster than S-waves, so the arrival time of a P-wave is shorter than that of an S-wave. This time difference can help seismologists determine the distance between the seismic event and the seismometer station.


What wave is recorded first on a seismograph?

The primary (P) wave is recorded first on a seismograph. It is the fastest seismic wave and can travel through solid rock and liquid.


Why do S waves arrive at a seismograph later than P waves?

The seismic wave has a p and an s component. The s wave is the shear portion, and it speaks to the uplift or dropping of the surface area being affected. This wave travels out like a wave over the surface of water. The p wave is a pressure wave that travels out like a sound wave from a speaker. There is a huge difference, however. With sound, the air is being compressed in front of the speaker, while with a quake, ground is being compressed. The compression wave travels MUCH faster in a solid than in a fluid like air. The p wave in a seismic event will travel almost twice as fast as the s wave, and that means that the s wave will arrive at a seismographic sensor later than a p wave.

Related questions

What does the p in p stand for?

Primary Wave and the other is Surface wave (S wave) in case anyone is wondering. Both are part of earthquakes.


What does the s stand for in s waves?

S-wave stands for : Secondary wave. It comes after the P-wave and goes before the L-wave.


Which is faster an s-wave or a p-wave?

P-Wave


Which type of body wave always arrives after the P-wave?

The S-wave, or secondary wave, always arrives after the P-wave. S-waves are slower than P-waves and are the second wave to arrive during an earthquake.


Which wave the p-wave or s-wave would arrive at seismometer afer the eatrhquake?

Both, first the P wave Then the S wave.


Is surface wave faster then a p wave?

no a p wave is faster than s wave


What is S P lag time?

the difference between the arrival of the p-wave and s-wave


What is S-P lag time?

The S-P lag time is the difference in seconds between the arrival of the S-wave and the P-wave during an earthquake. This lag time can be used to estimate the distance to the earthquake epicenter.


What type of waves are there?

p-wave s-wave l-wave


What does s stand for in s wave?

In seismology, the "s" in "s wave" stands for secondary wave. S waves are seismic waves that travel through the interior of the Earth and are slower than primary waves (p waves). They move in a side-to-side or up-and-down motion, unable to travel through liquids.


Is p wave larger s wave surface wave or tsunamis?

Neither. P and S waves are body waves. Tsunamis are a different matter entirely.


Does the S-Wave eventually catch up to the P-Wave?

no