Final answer:
S-waves and P-waves are two types of seismic waves used to study earthquakes. Seismologists measure the arrival times of these waves to determine the distance to the epicenter of an earthquake.
Step-by-step explanation:
S-waves and P-waves are two types of seismic waves that are used to study earthquakes. S-waves are transverse waves that travel slower than P-waves, which are longitudinal waves. By comparing the arrival times of S- and P-waves, seismologists can determine the distance to the epicenter of an earthquake.
This is done using seismometers to measure the arrival times of the waves and create a seismogram as a record of the earthquake. Zhang Heng, a Chinese scientist from the 2nd century, was one of the earliest known seismologists, who invented the first seismometer.