Question

In contrast to the solid outer mantle, parts of the central regions of the Earth’s interior are thought to be fluid. Which of the following supports this idea?

a. Neither P nor S seismic waves can pass through those regions.

b. Both P and S seismic waves easily pass through those regions.

c. P seismic waves cannot pass through those regions.

d. S seismic waves cannot pass through those regions.

Answer 1

S seismic waves cannot travel through liquid, which supports the idea that parts of Earth's interior are fluid, as they do not pass through the Earth's core.

Step-by-step explanation:

Based on seismic waves produced during earthquakes, it is known that S waves, which are shear or transverse, cannot travel through a liquid and hence do not transmit through Earth's core. Conversely, P waves, which are compression or longitudinal waves, can pass through a liquid and do travel through the core. This behavior of seismic waves indicates that some parts of the Earth's interior are fluid.

Therefore, the correct answer to the question is d. S seismic waves cannot pass through those regions, supporting the idea that the central regions of Earth's interior are fluid. Shear or transverse waves cannot travel through a liquid and are not transmitted through Earth's core. In contrast, compression or longitudinal waves can pass through a liquid and they do go through the core.