Question

1. explore1 scientists analyze two types of seismic waves following an earthquake: p waves and s waves. p waves travel through solids and liquids, whereas s waves do not travel through liquids and can travel only through solids. both p and s waves are refracted, or bent, as they pass from one medium into another when the two mediums differ in density. based on this information, predict the waves that will be detected at the three different sites on earth following an earthquake. origin of earthquake inner core outer core site a site b site c

Explanation:

To solve this, we analyze the properties of P and S waves and Earth's core structure (inner core: solid; outer core: liquid):

Step 1: Recall Wave Properties

• P waves: Travel through solids and liquids.
• S waves: Travel only through solids (cannot travel through liquids like the outer core).

Step 2: Analyze Site A (Outside the Outer Core’s Shadow Zone)

• Path: Waves travel through solid mantle/crust (no liquid outer core in direct path).
• Detection: Both P and S waves (since S waves can travel through solids, and P waves through solids/liquids).

Step 3: Analyze Site B (In the Outer Core’s Shadow Zone for S Waves)

• Path: S waves encounter the liquid outer core (they cannot travel through liquid) → S waves are blocked. P waves can travel through the liquid outer core (and solids).
• Detection: Only P waves (S waves cannot pass through the liquid outer core, but P waves can).

Step 4: Analyze Site C (Beyond the Outer Core, Inner Core Involved)

• Path: P waves refract through the liquid outer core and solid inner core. S waves cannot pass through the liquid outer core, so they do not reach here (or their path is blocked).
• Detection: Only P waves (S waves are blocked by the liquid outer core; P waves travel through liquid outer core and solid inner core).

Final Predictions:

• Site A: Both P and S waves.
• Site B: Only P waves.
• Site C: Only P waves. (Note: If the inner core’s solid nature affects P waves, they still travel through it, while S waves remain blocked by the outer core.)

Answer:

• Site A: Both P and S waves
• Site B: Only P waves
• Site C: Only P waves

(Explanation: S waves cannot travel through the liquid outer core, so they are blocked at sites where the path includes the outer core. P waves travel through both solids and liquids, so they pass through the outer core and reach sites beyond, while S waves do not.)