Seimic Waves

 

 

What do you need?

You can demonstrate how seismic waves travel by using a Slinky

 

Have a friend hold one end of the slinky while you hold the other.  Use a pen or pencil to add pressure to your end of the slinky.  You just sent a P wave through the slinky.

 

Have a friend hold one end of the slinky very still.  Give your end a quick shake side-to-side.  Watch the S wave travel through the slinky.

 

How are P and S waves different?  How are they similar?