P1 - Seismic Waves Flashcards
(9 cards)
What are the two different types of seismic waves?
P-waves and S-waves.
What do seismologists do?
Measure the time it takes the shock to reach or not reach each seismograph, which are placed all over the planet.
What type of wave is a p-wave?
They’re longitude.
How do we now the outer core is liquid? (according to seismic waves)
S-waves only travel through solids and they are not detected in the cores shadow.
How do we know there is a sudden change in properties in the earth?
Because p-waves change direction abruptly, they get refracted.
Why do we think the middle of the core is solid?
Because p-waves travel slightly faster through it.
Why do we think the mantle is solid?
S-waves can travel through it.
What is a kink?
A kink is when the path of a p-wave changes abruptly due to a change in material.
What type of wave is an s-wave?
It’s transverse.
