Question

Which statement best compares the movement of P waves and S waves?

A.
Both P and S waves move matter up and down, perpendicular to the direction of the wave.
B.
Both P and S waves move matter back and forth, in a direction parallel to the direction of the wave.
C.
P waves move matter back and forth, in a direction parallel to the direction of the wave, while S waves move matter up and down, perpendicular to the direction of the wave.
D.
P waves move matter up and down, perpendicular to the direction of the wave, while S waves move matter back and forth, in a direction parallel to the direction of the wave.

Answer 1

C. P waves move matter back and forth, in a direction parallel to the direction of the wave, while S waves move matter up and down, perpendicular to the direction of the wave.

Step-by-step explanation:

P and S - waves are both called seismic waves. They are produced during deformation within the earth.

Usually, P or Primary waves have the fastest velocity and arrives at the seismic station first. Secondary, Shear or S-waves follows P-waves.

• P-waves are body waves that propagates within a body. They cause movement internally.
• Secondary waves are surface waves. They move on the surface of earth.
• One way to also distinguish between these two seismic waves is that, P-waves are longitudinal waves that travels parallel or longitudinally to the source.
• Secondary waves moves in an up and down motion pattern. They propagate transversely to their source.