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P-waves and S-waves ____. are the slowest type of seismic waves cause the indivi

ID: 157546 • Letter: P

Question

P-waves and S-waves ____.

are the slowest type of seismic waves

cause the individual particles of the material to move back and forth in a horizontal plane perpendicular to the direction of wave travel

are also called Rayleigh waves

are also called Love waves

are two types of body waves

a.

are the slowest type of seismic waves

b.

cause the individual particles of the material to move back and forth in a horizontal plane perpendicular to the direction of wave travel

c.

are also called Rayleigh waves

d.

are also called Love waves

e.

are two types of body waves

Explanation / Answer

e. are two types of body waves

Body waves are divided into two groups: 1) Primary waves and 2) Secondary waves. Body waves are identified by their mode of travel.

(P waves) Primary waves are "push-pull" waves - they momentarily push (squeeze) and pull (stretch) rock in the direction the wave is traveling. This wave motion is similar to that of the sound waves created by human vocal cords.

(S waves) Secondary waves "shake" the particles at right angles to their direction of travel. Unlike P waves, which temporarily change the volume of intervening material by alternately squeezing and stretching it, S waves change the shape of the material that transmits them. Because fluid (gases and liquids) do not resist stresses that cause changes in shape - meaning fluids will not return to their original shape once the stress is removed- they will not retain S waves.