Earthquakes are essentially sound waves-called seismic waves-traveling through t

Question

Earthquakes are essentially sound waves-called seismic waves-traveling through the earth. Because the earth is solid, it can support both longitudinal and transverse seismic waves. The speed of longitudinal waves, called P waves, is 7800 m/s. Transverse waves, called S waves, travel at a slower 4300 m/s. A seismograph records the two waves from a distant earthquake. Part A If the S wave arrives 2.3 min after the P wave, how far away was the earthquake? You can assume that the waves travel in straight lines, although actual seismic waves follow more complex routes. Express your answer to two significant figures and include the appropriate units.

Explanation / Answer

time to travel S wave ts = d/vs = d/4300 s

tp = d/7800 s

S wave arrives 2.3 min after P wave

so ts - tp = 138 s

ts - tp = (d/4300) - (d/7800) = 138

d = 1322434.28 m

earthquake was 1322434.28 m away.

answer

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