(Ã´r'dn-Ä­t) The distance of a point from the x-axis on a graph in the Cartesian coordinate system. It is measured parallel to the y-axis. For example, a point having coordinates (2,3) has 3 as its ordinate. Compare abscissa.
How well s waves travel depends on the medium's shear modulus, or rigidity. Liquids and gases have no rigidity so they do not allow s waves to propagate(travel). P waves depenâ¦d on the medium's bulk modulus, or compressibility, so they propagate in liquids and gases, as well as solids, since they are both compressible. 6 people found this useful.
Body waves. Body waves are of two types: compressional or primary (P) waves and shear or secondary (S) waves. P- and S- waves are called body waves because they can travel through the interior of a body such as the Earth's inner layers, from the focus of an earthquake to distant points on the surface. The Earthâs molten core can only be travelled through by compressional waves. P-waves travel fastest, at speeds between 4â8 km/sec (14,000â28,000 km/h) in the Earth's crust. S-waves travel more slowly, usually at 2.5â4 km/sec (9000â14,000 km/h).