# Explain why P-waves can be detected on the opposite side of the Earth from an earthquake, but S-waves cannot.

> AQA GCSE Physics (8463) — 4.6.1 Waves in air, fluids and solids · Explain · 4 marks

> Seismic waves produced by earthquakes travel through the interior of the Earth. Scientists use detectors placed around the world to monitor these waves.

## Mark scheme (4 marks)

1. P-waves are longitudinal waves (that can travel through solids and liquids)
2. S-waves are transverse waves (that can only travel through solids, not liquids)
3. The Earth's outer core is liquid / molten
4. S-waves cannot pass through the liquid outer core, so they do not reach the other side of the Earth

## Key terms

- [P-waves](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/p-waves)
- [S-waves](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/s-waves)

## Related

- [Revision notes for AQA GCSE Physics (8463)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/learn)
- [How to answer "Explain" questions](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/tools/command-word-cheatsheet)
- [Practice this with AI marking (free)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/start)

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Source: [GradeNine](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/q/explain-why-p-waves-can-be-detected-05e2ea84) · Published by Druglandscape Ltd.