P-wave
First earthquake arrival
A P-wave is a primary wave—the fastest type of seismic wave, arriving first at monitoring stations during an earthquake.
P-waves are compression waves that push and pull through solid rock and liquid alike, distinguishing them from slower S-waves that can only travel through solids.
In cardiology, a P-wave is the electrocardiogram deflection representing atrial contraction: The P-wave was absent, suggesting atrial fibrillation.
Earthquake measuring device
- seismometerDetects ground vibrations
- seismogramGraph of ground vibrations
- travel timeJourney's temporal cost
- velocityDirected rate of motion
refraction · wavefront · epicenter · hypocenter · focus · fault · tectonics · lithosphere
Involuntary rhythmic shaking
- foreshockLesser quake before larger
- aftershockSmaller quake following larger
- epicenterPoint above seismic origin
- magnitudeSize or scale
Richter scale · seismograph · fault · tectonics · liquefaction · tsunami · intensity · early warning
Heart's electrical activity record
- ECGCardiac electrical recording
- sinus rhythmHeart's proper electrical timing
- arrhythmiaAbnormal cardiac rhythm
- atriumRoofed central hall
conduction · heartbeat · pacemaker · electrophysiology · repolarization · cardiac cycle · atrial fibrillation · tachycardia
Forcing into smaller space
- longitudinalAlong the longer dimension
- oscillationRepeated back-and-forth movement
- frequencyRate of recurrence
- amplitudeMaximum oscillation displacement
wavelength · velocity · elasticity · propagation · waveform · medium · density · pressure
seismograph
Earthquake measuring device
- seismometerDetects ground vibrations
- seismogramGraph of ground vibrations
- travel timeJourney's temporal cost
velocity · refraction · wavefront · epicenter · hypocenter · focus · fault · tectonics · lithosphere · crust
tremor
Involuntary rhythmic shaking
- foreshockLesser quake before larger
- aftershockSmaller quake following larger
- epicenterPoint above seismic origin
magnitude · Richter scale · seismograph · fault · tectonics · liquefaction · tsunami · intensity · early warning · rupture
electrocardiogram
Heart's electrical activity record
- ECGCardiac electrical recording
- sinus rhythmHeart's proper electrical timing
- arrhythmiaAbnormal cardiac rhythm
atrium · conduction · heartbeat · pacemaker · electrophysiology · repolarization · cardiac cycle · atrial fibrillation · tachycardia · bradycardia
compression
Forcing into smaller space
- longitudinalAlong the longer dimension
- oscillationRepeated back-and-forth movement
- frequencyRate of recurrence
amplitude · wavelength · velocity · elasticity · propagation · waveform · medium · density · pressure · energy transfer