S-Waves Vs P Waves Research Paper

Many people think that earthquakes are a bunch of shaking that causes damage, but it is more than that. Earthquakes are made up of P-waves and S-waves. P-waves and S-waves can be very different but also similar. P-waves are very different compared to S-waves. P-waves are also known as primary waves because they are the first waves that hit. The first difference is the type of motion. P-waves are compressional, they travel in the direction of movement.The movement of the waves can be compared to a vibration or a push-pull movement. The second difference is the speed or travel. P-waves move with a speed of 3-6 mi/sec, which is the speed of sound. P-waves arrive before S-waves because they travel at faster rate. S-waves can travel through both liquids and solids. One of the last difference is the damage. P-waves have less damage compared to S-waves. Some of the damages that can be done by P-waves are they can break fences and shake things in houses. P-waves are very different compared to S-waves.

S-waves are also known as secondary waves. The first difference is the type of motion. S-waves move in a shear motion, represented as a side-to-side motion. They also hit perpendicular to the direction of travel. One of the second difference is the speed of travel. They travel at a speed of 2-5 mi/sec. They hit after P-waves arrive because they travel slower. Unlike P-waves, S-waves cannot travel through liquids, only solids. One of the the last difference is the damage. S-waves are more destructive compared to P-waves. One damage of an S-wave is bent railroad tracks. S-waves are very different compared to