An earthquake generates both transverse (S) and longitudinal (P) sound waves in the earth. The speed of S waves is about 4.5 km/s and that of P waves is about 8.0 km/s. A seismograph records P and S waves from an earthquake. The first P wave arrives 4.0 min before the first S wave. The epicenter of the earthquake is located at a distance about
Text Solution
Verified by ExpertsC
Suppose d = distance of epicenter of Earth quake from point of observation
v S = Speed of S-wave and v P = Speed of P-wave then $d = v_{p} t_{p} = v_{s} t_{s}$ or $8t_{p} = 4.5t_{s}$
$\Rightarrow t_{p} = \frac{45}{8} t_{s}, \text{ given that } t_{s} - t_{p} = 240$ $\Rightarrow t_{s} - \frac{4.5}{8} t_{s} = 240$ $\Rightarrow t_{s} = \frac{240 \times 8}{3.5} = 548.5s$
∴ ∴ $d = v_s t_s = 4.5 \times 548.5 = 2468.6 \approx 2500 \text{ km}$
Prepare Smarter with CGP Edu
Get practice questions, solutions, and test series in one place.
Write a Review
Share your experience with this question and solution.
Commentary
Send your comment, doubt, correction, or feedback to admin.
Similar Questions
Explore conceptually related problems