0
How do seismic waves tell us about the properties of the outer and inner core?
Wiki User
∙ 7y ago
We know about the nature of the different kinds of waves because each earthquake produces three kinds of wave: Primary, Secondary and Long (or another variation) waves. L waves only travel at the surface, so these are irrelevant to this question. P waves are longitudinal and can travel through solids and liquids; S waves can only travel through solids. Thus, when P waves travel through the core, but S waves don't, we know the outer core is liquid. We know that the inner core is solid because the amount of refraction of the P waves changes within the core, so it cannot be uniform in composition, so we believe it to have a solid element to it.
Wiki User
∙ 12y ago
Add your answer:
Earn +20 pts
What evidence did scientists use to figure out Earths inner core is solid?
Scientists use the difference in density between the inner and outer core as evidence that the inner core is solid. This was proven using seismic waves traveling through the earth.
How does earths inner core affect seismic waves?
They go faster through the inner core than the liquid outer core
What happens to seismic waves when they pass through the solid inner core?
Seismic waves than changes direction and speed because of the matter it's passing through and the moving from different matter's (Inner core-Outer core)
Inner core state of matter?
the inner core is a solid
Does heat from the inner core and movement of tectonic plates produce seismic waves?
no.
What evidence did scientists use to figure out Earths inner core is solid?
Scientists use the difference in density between the inner and outer core as evidence that the inner core is solid. This was proven using seismic waves traveling through the earth.
How does earths inner core affect seismic waves?
They go faster through the inner core than the liquid outer core
What happens to seismic waves when they pass through the solid inner core?
Seismic waves than changes direction and speed because of the matter it's passing through and the moving from different matter's (Inner core-Outer core)
How does earths solid inner core affect seismic waves?
They go faster through the inner core than the liquid outer core.
How does Earth solid core affect seismic waves?
They go faster through the inner core than the liquid outer core.
How do scientists know that the inner core is solid?
Seismic waves traveling through the inner core go faster than those through the outer core.
Where does the evidence to support the concept that the inner core is solid and the outer core is liquid come from?
The study of the reflection and refraction of seismic waves within the Earth.
Inner core state of matter?
the inner core is a solid
What part of earth core is liquid?
Scientists suspect that the outer core is liquid because of its interaction with seismic waves. Actually, only one segment of inner earth is theorized to be liquid. This segment is known as the outer core
Does heat from the inner core and movement of tectonic plates produce seismic waves?
no.
What are the two categories of seismic waves?
The two main categories of seismic waves are body waves and surface waves. Body waves can travel through the earth's inner layers, but surface waves can only move along the surface of the Earth.
What are two categories of seismic waves?
The two main categories of seismic waves are body waves and surface waves. Body waves can travel through the earth's inner layers, but surface waves can only move along the surface of the Earth.
