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Seismic Waves (Earthquakes)
Seismic waves from earthquakes include fast longitudinal P waves, slower transverse S waves, and damaging surface waves.
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Seismic Waves (Earthquakes)
Earthquakes send waves through Earth.
P waves travel fastest.
S waves cannot travel through liquids.
Recommended for Class 10
Seismic Waves (Earthquakes)
Seismic waves are waves produced by sudden energy release inside Earth, especially during earthquakes.
They travel through Earth and along its surface.
P Waves
Primary waves (P waves) are longitudinal waves.
They are the fastest seismic waves and can travel through:
solids; liquids; * gases.
S Waves
Secondary waves (S waves) are transverse waves.
They are slower than P waves and travel only through solids.
Surface Waves
Surface waves travel along Earth's surface and often produce strong ground motion.
They can be particularly damaging near the surface.
Why Seismic Waves Matter
The different behaviour of P and S waves provides information about Earth's internal structure.
For example, the inability of S waves to travel through liquids helped scientists infer that part of Earth's outer core is liquid.
Seismic Waves (Earthquakes) — Advanced
Seismology uses travel times, refraction, reflection and shadow zones of seismic waves to infer Earth's internal composition and boundaries.
Common Mistakes
Common Mistakes
- Mistake
P does not mean “pressure wave only”; here it means Primary.
- Mistake
S waves cannot pass through liquids.
- Mistake
Surface waves are not the fastest.
Revision Zone
60-Second Revision
Quick cues from this topic — use them for last-minute revision.
P → longitudinal + fastest + solid/liquid/gas
S → transverse + solid only
Surface → strong ground motion
- Definition
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Practice
PQ
Q1. Define seismic waves.
PQ
Q2. Compare P and S waves.
PQ
Q3. Why can S waves not cross liquid?
PQ
Q4. Role of surface waves.
PQ
Q5. Explain how seismic waves reveal Earth's interior.
Exam Practice
EQ
Q1. Define seismic waves.
EQ
Q2. Compare P and S waves.
EQ
Q3. Why can S waves not cross liquid?
EQ
Q4. Role of surface waves.
EQ
Q5. Explain how seismic waves reveal Earth's interior.
School-standard facts for Matric and Intermediate. Original explanations — not copied from textbooks.