S-waves and P-waves (my physics revision h/w)?

Question

I've googled it but I'm not sure what to look for because both answers are the same on the websites I've seen.

Anyway,

"There are different types of wave.
What type of wave is a p-wave?

.............................................

What type of wave is an s-wave?

............................................."

Aren't they both seismic waves?

Answer 1

should ask your teacher

Answer 2

Well, yeah, the two types of seismic wave are compression P and translational S. But your answers are compression and translational.



P and S waves occur in all kinds of scenarios. Sound, for example, is a P wave because the wave oscillates in the direction of travel. Light, on the other hand, is an S wave because it oscillates perpendicular to the direction of travel. It's that simple...which way does the wave oscillate relative to the direction the wave travels?

Answer 3

I think its 5000m/s but, at the same time 40,000m/s is way too fast for an S wave vs a P wave. Generally P waves travel faster then S waves. So I hope you 4,000m/s and not 40,000m/s.

Answer 4

In a P wave the direction of vibration of the medium is parallel to the direction of propogation of the wave. So P waves are longitudinal. The restoring force is pressure, or normal stress.



In an S wave the direction of vibration of the medium is at right angles to the direction of propogation of the wave. So S waves are transverse. The restoring force is shear stress. Hence S for 'shear'.



The terms 'S wave' and 'P wave' are from seismology, and refer to waves that travel inside the earth. In other fields of science that deal with waves, these terms are not used.

Answer 5

the p is "compression" because it has an effect like a slinky! in our class we used one to show what happened in an earthquake with the land



and i think s is translational ( or transverse ) wave

Answer 6

I started to write an answer but then I thought wikipedia has better answer.



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seismic_wave