Which of the following is a characteristic of p-waves? a. they travel slower than other seismic waves. b. they displace the rock back and forth in a direction that is perpendicular to their travel direction. c. they compress and then expand the rock in the direction the wave travels. d. they cannot be recorded on seismographs. e. they are generated near the surface and only compress the rock as they travel.

Option (C)

Explanation:

P-waves are defined as a type of seismic wave and are known as the primary waves, and as this wave moves it contracts and expands the rock matters in its direction of propagation. This wave travels at a much faster speed and reaches the seismic station first compared to the S-waves. This P-waves carry energy in the interior of the earth as it propagates in a particular direction. The velocity of P-wave ranges from 4 to 8 km/sec. It can travel in both the solid inner core, liquid outer core, mantle, and the crust. Its speed varies with the changing density of the layers.

Thus, the correct answer is option (C).