Question

directions: select all the correct answers.
which of the following are true about s waves?

• they move rock at right angles to the direction of wave travel.
• they can travel through solids.
• they begin at an earthquake’s focus.
• they can travel through liquids.

reset submit

Explanation:

1. For the statement "They move rock at right angles to the direction of wave travel": S - waves (secondary waves) are shear waves, and their particle motion is perpendicular (at right angles) to the direction of wave propagation. So this is correct.
2. For the statement "They can travel through solids": S - waves can only travel through solid materials because they require a medium with shear strength, and solids have shear strength while liquids and gases do not. So this is correct.
3. For the statement "They begin at an earthquake’s focus": Earthquake waves (including S - waves) originate from the focus (hypocenter) of an earthquake. So this is correct.
4. For the statement "They can travel through liquids": S - waves cannot travel through liquids (or gases) because liquids do not have the shear strength required for S - wave propagation. So this is incorrect.

Answer:

• They move rock at right angles to the direction of wave travel
• They can travel through solids
• They begin at an earthquake’s focus