Question

6. An earthquake releases two types of traveling seismic waves, called transverse and longitudinal waves. The average speed of the transverse and longitudinal waves in rock are 9.1 km/s and 5.7 km/s respectively. A seismograph records the arrival of the transverse waves 71 s before that of the longitudinal waves. Assuming the waves travel in straight lines, how far away is the center of the earthquake?

Answer 1

Answer:

The distance away the center of the earthquake is 1083.24 km.

Explanation:

Given that,

Speed of transverse wave = 9.1\ km/s

Speed of longitudinal wave = 5.7 km/s

Time = 71 sec

We need to calculate the distance of transverse wave

Using formula of distance

$d=v\times t$

$d=9.1\times t$....(I)

The distance of longitudinal wave

$d=5.7\times (t+71)$....(II)

From the first equation

$t=\dfrac{d}{9.1}$

Put the value of t in equation (II)

$d =5.7\times(\dfrac{d}{9.1}+71)$

$\dfrac{9.1d-5.7d}{9.1}=71\times5.7$

$d0.3736=404.7$

$d =1083.24\ km$

Hence, The distance away the center of the earthquake is 1083.24 km.