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P waves travel about 1.7 times faster than S waves. This difference in speed allows seismologists to determine the distance of an earthquake from a seismographic station.
P-waves travel faster than S-waves through the Earth, with P-waves moving at speeds of around 6-8 km/s compared to S-waves at 3-4 km/s. P-waves are compressional waves that travel through solids, liquids, and gases, while S-waves are transverse waves that only propagate through solids.
The speed of light in vacuum is exactly 299.792,458 m / s The speed of light in air is roughly 299,702,458 m / s
The arrival time difference between P-waves and S-waves at station 4 would be shorter than at station 3. This is because the further away a seismic station is from the earthquake epicenter, the shorter the time difference between the arrival of P-waves and S-waves. This is due to the faster travel speed of P-waves compared to S-waves.
The speed of sound in air is affected by temperature, humidity, and air pressure. At higher temperatures, sound travels faster because the air molecules are moving more quickly. Humidity can also influence the speed of sound, as water vapor molecules can disrupt sound waves. Additionally, changes in air pressure can impact the density of the air, affecting the speed at which sound waves travel.