The diagram below shows how different seismic waves travel through the earth. Why doesn’t wave A move through the Earth like wave B?
A.
Wave A does not travel through liquid
B.
Wave B does not travel through liquid
C.
Wave A does not travel through solids
D.
Wave A and Wave B behave the same
C. Wave A does not travel through solids.
At which letter have weathering and erosion occurred?
A.
B
B.
K
C.
Y
D.
H
B. K
To determine why Wave A doesn't move through the Earth like Wave B, we need to understand the properties of each wave and how they travel through different materials.
Wave A, known as the primary or P-wave, is a type of seismic wave that moves through both solids and liquids. It is the fastest seismic wave and can travel through Earth's interior by compressing and expanding the material it passes through. This wave causes particles to move back and forth in the same direction as the wave is traveling.
Wave B, also called the secondary or S-wave, is another type of seismic wave that travels through solids only. Unlike the P-wave, the S-wave causes particles to move perpendicular to the direction of propagation, also known as transverse motion. This wave is slower than the P-wave and cannot travel through liquids.
Given this information, both options A and C are incorrect because both waves can travel through solids.
Option B, stating that Wave B doesn't travel through liquid, is the correct answer. The S-wave cannot pass through liquids because liquids do not have the necessary resistance to support the transverse motion of particles.
Therefore, the correct answer is B. Wave B does not travel through liquid.