Final answer:
The coefficient 13.2 in the seismic wave equation r = 13.2 sin(θ) represents the radius of the circular area affected by the wave, indicating how far the seismic wave extends from the epicenter.The correct option is option c.
Step-by-step explanation:
The given equation for the seismic wave of an earthquake is r = 13.2 sin(θ), where r represents the distance from the epicenter of the earthquake in miles. In this equation, the coefficient 13.2 refers to the maximum value of r that can be reached as θ varies, which in the context of circular motion or wave patterns, corresponds to the radius of the area affected by the seismic wave. Thus, the coefficient 13.2 represents the radius of the circular area affected by the seismic wave.
Understanding the equation for the seismic wave allows us to visualize the propagation of the wave as a circular area with the earthquake's epicenter as the center point. The importance of the seismic wave equation in determining the extent of an earthquake becomes particularly relevant in fields such as seismology and earthquake engineering, where it helps assess the potential impact of seismic events.