This comparison covers P-Waves vs S-Waves: Comparison Table within Seismic Waves for GCSE Physics. Revise Seismic Waves in Waves for GCSE Physics with 13 exam-style questions and 15 flashcards. This is a high-frequency topic, so it is worth revising until the explanation feels precise and repeatable. It is section 8 of 14 in this topic. Use this comparison to connect the idea to the wider topic before moving on to questions and flashcards.
Topic position
Section 8 of 14
Practice
13 questions
Recall
15 flashcards
⚖️ P-Waves vs S-Waves: Comparison Table
| Property | P-waves | S-waves |
|---|---|---|
| Wave type | Longitudinal | Transverse |
| Particle motion | Parallel to wave direction | Perpendicular to wave direction |
| Media they travel through | Solids AND liquids | Solids only |
| Relative speed | Faster (arrive first) | Slower (arrive second) |
| Reaches far side of Earth? | Yes (refracted, but detected) | No (blocked by liquid outer core) |