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They use seismic waves. If not produced by a natural event like a earthquake, scientists(geophysicists generally) will create a explosion on land or on water. By using a seismograph, scientist are able to track how the seismic wave travels underground. Scientist already know that some earth materials cause waves to travel at a general velocity. For example, waves travel at a speed of

1.5km/s in water

2km/s in sediments

5.07km/s in basalts

6.69km/s in gabbro

8.13km/s in peridotite

There is more materials they know the speed of I just can't remember them :P so if a wave is traveling at 1 of these speeds you know you got gabbro or whatever.

However, scientist don't know the velocities of the waves but they can figure them out by studying refracted and reflected waves(refracted is more commonly studied to determine velocities). Refracted happens if layer 2 has a greater velocity than layer 1 and reflected happens if layer 1 has a greater velocity than layer 2.

Once they know the velocities they can determine how big a layer is.

They figure out the velocities as well as how big a layer is by using math. For example they can figure out the height of a layer by the formula t*V1/2costhetax

Where t is travel time

V1 and V2 is the velocity of the first layer and second layer

And thetax is equal to arcsin(v1/v2)

And if you don't know the travel time then there is whole different formula that can be used

Basically a lot of math is used to determine the size of layers.

What I just described was very generalized there is a whole lot more to it but way too complicated to explain

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Why do scientist divide the earth into two sets of layers?

Scientists divide the Earth into two main layers, the crust and the mantle, based on their composition and characteristics. This division helps provide a simplified model for understanding Earth's structure and how different processes occur within its interior. By studying these layers separately, scientists can better investigate the properties, behavior, and interactions of the materials that make up the Earth.


Know how scientist can determine the depths of earths layers?

Scientists use seismic waves from earthquakes to determine the depths of Earth's layers. The speed and behavior of these waves change as they pass through different materials, allowing scientists to infer the structure of Earth's interior. This technique, called seismic tomography, helps researchers map the boundaries between Earth's layers and understand their composition and properties.


How do scientist know what the inside of the earth is made up of layers?

In the earlier years of science, people found out and discovered this type of science, and that type of knowledge has been passed down through history for all to know +++ THAT does not answer the question! Our knowledge of the Earth's interior comes from analysing rocks emitted in volcanic eruptions and igneous intrusions, and from analysing seismic waves (vibrations) from earthquakes.


How have scientists learned about the interior layers of the earth?

Scientists use seismic waves from earthquakes to study the interior layers of the Earth. By analyzing how these waves travel through the Earth's layers, scientists can determine the properties of each layer, such as density and composition. This information helps us understand the structure and composition of the Earth's interior.


How earth interior like an apple?

The Earth's interior is like an apple in the sense that it has distinct layers of varying thickness and composition. Just like the layers of an apple (skin, flesh, and core), the Earth is made up of the crust, mantle, and core. Each layer has unique properties and plays a vital role in the Earth's geology and dynamics.

Related Questions

Why do scientist divide the earth into two sets of layers?

Scientists divide the Earth into two main layers, the crust and the mantle, based on their composition and characteristics. This division helps provide a simplified model for understanding Earth's structure and how different processes occur within its interior. By studying these layers separately, scientists can better investigate the properties, behavior, and interactions of the materials that make up the Earth.


What is a method earth scientist use to determine the composition of earths layers?

Type your answer here... D.Comparing the composition of the crust to other bodies in the solar system


What is the order of the earth's interior?

The Earth's interior has several layers in order from outer to inner: the crust, mantle, outer core, and inner core. These layers vary in composition, temperature, and physical properties.


How did scientists determine the structure and composition of earth interior?

Scientists determined the structure and composition of Earth's interior primarily through seismic wave analysis, which involves studying how seismic waves generated by earthquakes travel through the Earth. By measuring the speed and behavior of these waves as they pass through different layers, researchers can infer the properties of those layers. Additionally, the study of meteorites and the composition of volcanic materials provides insights into the materials present in the Earth's interior. Laboratory experiments simulating high-pressure and high-temperature conditions also help refine our understanding of Earth's interior composition.


Know how scientist can determine the depths of earths layers?

Scientists use seismic waves from earthquakes to determine the depths of Earth's layers. The speed and behavior of these waves change as they pass through different materials, allowing scientists to infer the structure of Earth's interior. This technique, called seismic tomography, helps researchers map the boundaries between Earth's layers and understand their composition and properties.


How do scientist know what the inside of the earth is made up of layers?

In the earlier years of science, people found out and discovered this type of science, and that type of knowledge has been passed down through history for all to know +++ THAT does not answer the question! Our knowledge of the Earth's interior comes from analysing rocks emitted in volcanic eruptions and igneous intrusions, and from analysing seismic waves (vibrations) from earthquakes.


What type of scientist studies the earths insides?

Geologists study the Earth's interior. They also study the Earth's composition and all the processes that cause it to change.


How have scientists learned about the interior layers of the earth?

Scientists use seismic waves from earthquakes to study the interior layers of the Earth. By analyzing how these waves travel through the Earth's layers, scientists can determine the properties of each layer, such as density and composition. This information helps us understand the structure and composition of the Earth's interior.


How earth interior like an apple?

The Earth's interior is like an apple in the sense that it has distinct layers of varying thickness and composition. Just like the layers of an apple (skin, flesh, and core), the Earth is made up of the crust, mantle, and core. Each layer has unique properties and plays a vital role in the Earth's geology and dynamics.


What information did scientist study in order to develop a model of earths interior?

Scientists studied seismic waves generated by earthquakes to understand the behavior of waves as they travel through different layers of Earth. By analyzing the speed, direction, and intensity of seismic waves, researchers were able to infer the composition and structure of Earth's interior, leading to the development of models like the Earth's layers (crust, mantle, core).


What do geoligists use to map the earths interior?

Geologists use seismic waves to map the Earth's interior. By studying how these waves travel through the Earth, geologists can infer information about the composition and structure of different layers beneath the surface. This helps them understand the different layers of the Earth, such as the crust, mantle, and core.


How are scientists able to study the composition and size of the interior layers of earth?

Scientists use techniques such as seismic imaging, gravity mapping, and studying the behavior of seismic waves to study the composition and size of the interior layers of the Earth. By analyzing how seismic waves travel through the Earth, scientists can infer the properties of different layers. Geographic information systems and computer modeling are also used to visualize and interpret this data.