wayground logo

Free Printable Worksheets

NEW

Font size

S
M
L
XL
Worksheets

Eartquake Waves (Pretest)

Total questions: 15

Worksheet time: 6mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

How do rock particles move during the passage of a Primary wave (P-waves)

through the rock?

a)

the particles do not move

b)

in a rolling circular motion

c)

back and forth parallel to the direction of wave travel

d)

back and forth perpendicular to the direction of wave travel

2.

Which of the following sequences correctly lists the different arrivals of the waves from first to the last?

a)

P waves → S waves → Surface waves

b)

Surface waves → P waves → S waves

c)

P waves → Surface waves → S waves

d)

S waves → P waves → Surface waves

3.

What causes the up-and-down wiggles on the seismogram shown above?

a)

tsunami waves

b)

ground vibrations

c)

electromagnetic pulses

d)

variations in air pressure

4.

Which set of waves are probably the surface waves?

a)

Wave A

b)

Wave B

c)

Wave C

d)

They are all surface waves.

5.

Which set of waves are the P waves?

a)

Wave A

b)

Wave B

c)

Wave C

d)

They are all P waves

6.

Which set of waves are the S waves?

a)

Wave A

b)

Wave B

c)

Wave C

d)

They are all S waves

7.

Which of the following statements BEST describes secondary waves (S-waves)?

a)

circular motions like an ocean wave

b)

snake-like motions parallel to the Earth's surface

c)

contractions and expansions that are in the direction of wave propagation

d)

shearing motions that are at right angles to the direction of wave propagation

8.

What is the useful information regarding the composition of the interior of the Earth can be derived from earthquake waves?

a)

It changes radioactive decay rates of rocks.

b)

It releases materials from within the Earth.

c)

It travels through the Earth at a constant speed.

d)

It travels at different rates through different materials.

9.

Which layer of the Earth does S-waves do not travel?

a)

core

b)

crust

c)

mantle

d)

moho

10.

Which of the following earthquake waves can travel through both solids and fluids?

a)

P waves only

b)

S waves only

c)

Q-waves only

d)

Both P and S waves

11.

Which seismic waves travel through the interior layer of the Earth?

a)

body waves

b)

deep waves

c)

inner waves

d)

surface waves

12.

What do you call the motion or vibration of earthquake that travels outward from the focus?

a)

chemical energy

b)

electromagnetic waves

c)

gravity waves

d)

seismic waves

13.

In the upper part of the mantle, the earthquake waves slow down. It is explained that ________.

a)

that outer core is solid.

b)

rocks are partially molten

c)

at depth the rocks are denser.

d)

rocks confined at that particular location tightly packed together.

14.

What is the most destructive earthquake wave?

a)

S waves

b)

P waves

c)

Q waves

d)

Surface waves

15.

Which statement best explains why the P-wave of an earthquake arrives at a seismic station before the S-wave?

a)

The S wave originates from the earthquake focus.

b)

The P wave has a greater velocity than the S wave.

c)

The P wave originates from the earthquake epicenter.

d)

The S wave decreases in velocity as it passes through the liquid.