Final answer:
The Richter scale measures the magnitude of an earthquake using a logarithmic scale, and the energy released by an earthquake of magnitude 8.2 is calculated as 10^19.2 ergs.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Richter scale measures the magnitude of an earthquake, and its ratings are an example of logarithmic data. Earthquakes' energies, such as in an earthquake of magnitude 8.2, can be calculated using a logarithmic formula tied to the scale. The formula given in the question seems to have a typographical error, but if we assume the correct formula is M = log(E/10^11), then to find the energy E in ergs, we can reverse the process.
To calculate the energy released by an earthquake of magnitude 8.2, we would rearrange the formula to solve for E: E = 10^(M) × 10^11. Thus:
E = 10^(8.2) × 10^11
E = 10^(8.2+11)
E = 10^(19.2)
This means the energy released by an earthquake of magnitude 8.2 is 10^19.2 ergs.
The numbers on the Richter scale, such as 2.3, 4.0, 6.1, and 7.0, are logarithmic values that reflect the quantitative measure of the energy produced by earthquakes. These figures are pivotal for understanding the potential destructive effect of an earthquake, as they are related to the energy carried in earthquake waves.