P/S Waves And Infrasound Flashcards
1
Q
uses of infrasound waves
A
long distance communication between animals, like whales and elephants
2
Q
what is a seismic wave
A
an elastic wave in the earth produced by an earthquake or other means
3
Q
what type of wave is a P wave
A
a longitudinal wave
4
Q
what type of wave is an S wave
A
a transverse wave
5
Q
what are the properties of a P wave
A
- 360 degrees travel and detection
- travel faster than S waves
- travel through solids and liquids
6
Q
what are the properties of an S wave
A
- 180 degrees travel and detection (detected on the same side of the earth)
- weak bonds as waves arent strongly linked
- travel slower than P waves
- only travel through solids
7
Q
interaction between P wave and earth
A
- waves are refracted at the core of the earth because of the change in density
- denser core means refraction towards the normal
8
Q
interaction between S wave and earth
A
only travel through solids and in one direction because the core is liquid
9
Q
what do earthquakes produce
A
seismic waves at a range of frequencies which travel out through the earth and its different layers
10
Q
what is seismologists do
A
- they work out the time it takes for the wave to reach the seismometer
- they also note which parts of the earth receives no waves at all
11
Q
what happens when seismic waves reach a boundary between two different materials
A
- some of the waves will be absorbed and some will be refracted
- if the waves are refracted, they change speed gradually resulting in a curved path
- but when the properties change suddenly the wave speed changes abruptly and the path makes a kink
