Exploring Seismic Waves and Earth's Structure

What types of materials can P waves travel through?

• Neither solids nor liquids

• Both solids and liquids

• Only liquids

• Only solids

What is the main difference between P waves and S waves?

• P waves can travel through both solids and liquids, but S waves can only travel through solids

• S waves can travel through liquids, but P waves cannot

• P waves are slower than S waves

• There is no significant difference

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS4-1

How do seismologists study the Earth's internal structure?

• By detecting seismic waves with seismometers

• By measuring the temperature of the Earth's core

• By creating artificial seismic waves

• By drilling into the Earth's core

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NGSS.HS-ESS1-5

What role do seismometers play in understanding the Earth's internal structure?

• They measure the Earth's magnetic field

• They generate seismic waves

• They detect seismic waves

• They predict earthquakes

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS2-3

What happens to seismic waves when they reach a boundary between two different mediums?

• They speed up

• They are always absorbed

• They can be reflected, absorbed, or transmitted

• They disappear

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS4-1

Why do seismic waves change direction when they are transmitted across a boundary?

• Because of the Earth's magnetic field

• Due to a change in speed caused by different densities

• Because they are absorbed by the new medium

• Seismic waves do not change direction

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS4-1

How do P waves behave differently from S waves when passing through the Earth's layers?

• P waves can only travel through solids

• S waves can travel through both solids and liquids

• S waves can travel faster than P waves

• P waves can travel through both solids and liquids, but S waves cannot

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS4-1

What was a key clue in discovering the Earth's liquid outer core?

• S waves could travel through liquids

• P waves changed direction unpredictably

• P waves were detected everywhere

• S waves were not detected in certain regions

What does the inability of S waves to travel through liquids indicate about the Earth's outer core?

• It is empty space

• It is solid

• It is made of gas

• It is liquid

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS2-3

Why can't S waves be detected in certain regions of the Earth?

• Because they cannot travel through the liquid outer core

• Because they only travel in straight lines

• Because they are absorbed by the Earth's core

• Because they are too slow

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS2-1