Earthquakes generate sound waves inside the earth. Unlike a gas, the earth can experience both transverse (S) and longitudinal (P) sound waves. Typically the speed of S wave is about 4.0 km s-1, and that of P wave is 8.0 km s-1. A seismograph records P and S waves from an earthquake. The first P wave arrives 4 min before the first S wave. Assuming the waves travel in straight line, at what distance does the earthquake occur?
Let vSand vP be the velocities of S and P waves respectively.
Let L be the distance between the epicentre and the seismograph.
We have:
L = vStS (i)
L = vPtP (ii)
Where,
tS and tP are the respective times taken by the S and P waves to reach the seismograph from the epicentre
It is given that:
vP = 8 km/s
vS= 4 km/s
From equations (i) and (ii), we have:
vS tS = vP tP
4tS = 8 tP
tS = 2 tP (iii)
It is also given that:
tS - tP = 4 min = 240 s
2tP - tP = 240
tP= 240
And tS = 2 x 240 = 480 s
From equation (ii), we get:
L = 8 x 240
= 1920 km
Hence, the earthquake occurs at a distance of 1920 km from the seismograph.
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Welcome to the NCERT Solutions for Class 11 Physics - Chapter . This page offers a step-by-step solution to the specific question from Excercise 1 , Question 26: Earthquakes generate sound waves inside the earth. Unlike a gas, the earth can experience both trans....
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