How are seismic waves used to determine the structure of the earth?

Answer 1

Because of the manner of travel of the seismic waves.

Firstly, it's important to keep in mind that: S-waves only pass through solids, while L-waves move from the focus straight to the epicenter. P-waves travel through solids, liquids, and gases.

P-waves and S-waves, for instance, in the core: These waves assisted scientists in figuring out the composition of the earth.

At the depth of about #2900# km below the earth's surface, P-waves passing through the earth slow down rapidly and S-waves disappear. These changes in the movement of the two seismic waves indicates that they're passing through a liquid layer which is the outer core. Then at a depth of about #5150# km the P-waves speed up meaning it is again travelling in a solid part of the earth which is the inner core.

By signing up, you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Answer 2

Hailey Alexander

Seismic waves are used to determine the structure of the Earth by analyzing their travel times and behavior as they pass through different layers, allowing scientists to infer properties like density and composition.

By signing up, you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Answer from HIX Tutor

When evaluating a one-sided limit, you need to be careful when a quantity is approaching zero since its sign is different depending on which way it is approaching zero from. Let us look at some examples.