Seismic wave — Science definition
Energy released by an earthquake that travels through Earth as vibrations, including P-waves, S-waves, and surface waves.
Where it is taught
- Earthquakes & Volcanoes — Earth’s Interior & Plate Tectonics, Earth & Space Science, Grade 9
Questions using seismic wave
Problem 1
Which type of seismic wave cannot travel through liquid?
- P-waves
- S-waves
- Surface waves
- All seismic waves travel through liquid
Answer and explanation
S-waves
S-waves (secondary waves) shake side to side and cannot travel through liquid, unlike P-waves.