Question

Suppose an earthquake occurs on an imaginary planet. Scientists on the other side of the planet detect primary waves but not secondary waves after the quake. This suggests that:________.
a. part of the planet's interior is liquid
b. all of the planet's interior is solid
c. the planet has an iron core
d. the planet's interior consists entirely of rocky materials
e. the planet's mantle is liquid

Answer 1

Answer:

a. part of the planet's interior is liquid

Explanation:

Seismic waves are slowed down in a liquid medium. On earth, molten areas reduces the speed of P waves and completely stops S waves which have shearing motion that can only be transmitted through a solid

The motion has the highest speed in materials, allowing it to be detected first on seismograms. The P wave is has a smaller wavelength and a higher frequency than the surface ans the S waves.