What does a P wave do to the rock it passes through?
A) It lifts it up and down in a wavelike motion (perpendicular to the advancing wave front), distorting the rock's shape while holding its volume (and density) constant.
B) It causes the rock to move in little vertical circles as the wave advances.
C) It alternately compresses and expands the rock (like the bellows of an accordion) along the direction of the advancing wave. This "preserves the rock's shape", while changing its density in a periodic fashion.
D) It causes the rock to wiggle from side to side as the wave advances.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

P waves, or primary waves, are a type of seismic wave that compresses and expands the rock in the direction the wave is moving, similar to the action of an accordion. This action changes the density of the rock but preserves its overall shape.

What Does a P Wave Do to the Rock It