Question

On May 22, 1960, an earthquake in Chile measured 9.5 on the Richter scale. On February 27, 2010, another earthquake in Chile measured 8.8 on the Richter scale. Compare the intensities of the two earthquakes. Round to the nearest whole number.

Answer 1

The answer would be 5

Answer 2

Answer:

$\frac{I_1}{I_2} =5$

Step-by-step explanation:

We can use Richter scale formula

$R=log(I)$

where

I is intensity

R is Richter scale value

First case:

On May 22, 1960, an earthquake in Chile measured 9.5 on the Richter scale

so, we get

$9.5=log(I_1)$

Second case:

On February 27, 2010, another earthquake in Chile measured 8.8 on the Richter scale

so, we get

$8.8=log(I_2)$

we can subtract both equations

$9.5-8.8=log(I_1)-log(I_2)$

$log(\frac{I_1}{I_2} )=0.7$

$\frac{I_1}{I_2} =10^{0.7}$

$\frac{I_1}{I_2} =5$