Q. Consider the following statements about ‘Primary waves’:
These are compressional waves.
These are most destructive.
Their velocity is maximum in solids.
They vibrate at right angle to the direction in which they travel.
Which of the statements given above are correct? Answer:
Only 1 & 3
Notes:
P-waves (Primary waves) are the first waves detected by seismograph. These are longitudinal waves i.e. they vibrates along the same direction as it travels. P-waves can travel through solids and liquids. Other examples of longitudinal waves include sound waves and waves in a stretched spring. These are also called compressional waves because they produce compression and rarefaction when travelling through a medium. These waves are of relatively high frequency and are the least destructiveamong the earthquake waves. The velocity of the P-waves is maximum in Solids and minimum in gases.
S-waves (Secondary waves) are transverse waves i.e. they vibrates at a right angle to the direction in which they travel. S-waves can only travel through solids. Other examples of transverse waves include light waves and water waves. These waves are of high frequency and possess slightly higher destructive power compared to P-waves.