P wave

A P wave (primary wave or pressure wave) is one of the two main types of elastic body waves, called seismic waves in seismology. P waves travel faster than other seismic waves and hence are the first signal from an earthquake to arrive at any affected location or at a seismograph. P waves may be transmitted through gases, liquids, or solids.

This article is on the type of seismic wave. For the term used in electrocardiography, see P wave (electrocardiography). P-wave can also refer to a type of electronic wave function in atomic physics; see atomic orbital.
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