Question

If a p-wave arrives at 2:10:00 and the s-wave arrives at 2:15:20, how many kilometers from the epicenter is a location?

Answer 1

2.67 x 10⁷km

Step-by-step explanation:

Given parameters:

Time of arrival of p-waves = 2: 10: 00

Time of arrival of s-waves = 2: 15: 20

Unknown:

Distance of wave from epicenter = ?

Solution:

To find the distance of the wave from the epicenter;

Distance = 3 x 10⁸ x time interval

Time interval = Time of arrival of p-waves - Time of arrival of s-waves

= 2: 10: 00 - 2: 15: 20

= 5min 20s

= 320s

Now, we need to convert the time to hrs;

3600s = 1hr

320s =
`(320)/(3600)` =
`(4)/(45)`hr

So,

Distance = 3 x 10⁸ x
`(4)/(45)` = 2.67 x 10⁷km