Question

Which statements describe S waves? Check all that apply.

They move side to side.
They arrive after P waves.
They travel through solids.
They travel through liquids.
They occur at Earth’s surface.

Answer 1

They arrive after P waves

I guess so

Answer 2

Answer: S waves description include the following statement: THEY MOVE SIDE TO SIDE, THEY ARRIVE AFTER P WAVES, THEY TRAVEL THROUGH SOLIDS.

Explanation: -S wave moves side to side because its motion/oscillation is perpendicular to the direction of the wave propagation. This type of wave is known as TRANSVERSE WAVE.

-S wave arrives after P wave because they are slower; P wave speed is about 6.8km per second while S wave speed is about 3.8km per second.

Again, S wave energy is not easily transmitted through the medium it's moving compared to P wave because it's wave motion is TRANSVERSE WAVE which can also be called SHEAR WAVE.

S wave, therefore, is the second wave you feel during an earthquake.

-S wave travels through solid rocks because rocks have shear strength/rigidity. Shear strength holds rocks together and allows them to resist gravity pull. Therefore, the shear strength in rocks allows shear wave which is found in S wave to move through them.