Final answer:
The false statement about the seismograph is that it can cause explosive destruction if not handled properly. Seismographs record seismic waves, which reveal information about the Earth's interior, but they are not capable of causing destruction.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement about the seismograph that is NOT true is: 'This instrument can also cause explosive destruction if not handled properly.' Seismographs are designed to detect and record ground movement caused by earthquakes, but they do not have the capability to cause destruction. These instruments utilize components like a vibrating rod or pendulum to sense tremors and record seismic waves.
Seismic waves, including P-waves (pressure or longitudinal waves) and S-waves (shear or transverse waves), traverse through different layers of the Earth at varying speeds. The captured data helps scientists understand the Earth's interior structures by observing how these waves bend (refract) and reflect due to the different materials they pass through. The difference in arrival times of P-waves and S-waves allows geologists to determine the distance to the epicenter of an earthquake. It is through the analysis of these seismic waves that we can learn about the Earth's composition and structure, similar to how ultrasound is used in medicine to see inside the body.