Seismic Waves

• What do large-scale events like volcanoes produce?

  Seismic waves
• What are the two types of seismic waves discussed?

  P waves and S waves
• How do P waves travel compared to S waves?

  P waves are longitudinal; S waves are transverse
• What can P waves travel through?

  Both solids and liquids
• What can S waves travel through?

  Only solids
• Which type of seismic wave is faster?

  P waves
• How do scientists study the Earth's internal structure?

  By studying how seismic waves travel
• What device do seismologists use to detect seismic waves?

  Seismometers
• What do seismologists compare to understand wave travel times?

  Their results with other seismologists' results
• What happens to seismic waves at boundaries between different mediums?

  They can be reflected, absorbed, or transmitted
• What does refraction of waves indicate?

  Waves change speed in different densities
• What occurs at the boundary between the mantle and the liquid outer core?

  Sudden change in density
• How do waves behave as they pass through the liquid outer core?

  They are constantly refracted and seem to curve
• What happens to seismic waves in the mantle?

  They are generally refracted and seem to curve
• How do P waves and S waves differ in their ability to travel through the Earth?

  P waves can travel through both; S waves cannot
• Why can't S waves reach the inner core?

  They are surrounded by the liquid outer core
• Where can S waves not be detected during an earthquake?

  In the liquid outer core region
• Why are P waves detected almost everywhere?

  They can travel through solids and liquids
• What is the main takeaway regarding wave detection and Earth's structure?

  Scientists discovered structure by wave detection
• What is the main difference between P waves and S waves?

  P waves travel through solids and liquids; S waves do not
• What are the characteristics of P waves and S waves?

  • P waves:
  • Longitudinal
  • Travel through solids and liquids
  • Faster than S waves
  • S waves:
  • Transverse
  • Travel only through solids
• How do seismic waves help scientists understand the Earth's internal structure?

  • Seismic waves travel through different layers
  • Their speed changes at boundaries
  • Detection patterns reveal solid and liquid layers
• What happens to seismic waves at boundaries between different mediums?

  • Reflected
  • Absorbed
  • Transmitted
  • Refracted (change direction)