Question

multiple choice 7.15 points
earthquakes generate seismic waves that travel through the earth. the image shows two types of seismic waves (s - waves and p - waves). these waves differ in how they move through earth and the disruptions they cause.
consider the difference between s - waves and p - waves as shown in the image. engineers have designed \earthquake - safe\ buildings that rest on giant cylinders that allow the whole building to roll side to side as a seismic wave passes. which type of wave does a design feature like this prevent damage from and why?
s - waves, because they cause the ground to move up and down perpendicular to the direction the wave is moving.
p - waves, because they transfer matter to different locations as the wave passes through the ground.
s - waves, because they only transfer energy, not matter, through the ground.
p - waves, because they cause the ground to move back and forth parallel to the direction the wave is moving.

Explanation:

S - waves are transverse waves. Transverse waves move the particles of the medium perpendicular to the direction of wave propagation. This means that S - waves cause the ground to move up and down (perpendicular to the wave direction). When an earthquake occurs, if a building is on a foundation that allows it to move, S - waves (which move perpendicular to the wave direction) can cause the building to roll side - to - side. P - waves are longitudinal waves, which move particles parallel to the wave direction (back - and - forth parallel to the wave motion) and do not cause the same side - to - side rolling motion.

Answer:

S - waves, because they cause the ground to move up and down perpendicular to the direction the wave is moving.