Compression waves passing through the liquid outer core are known as primary waves, or P-waves. These seismic waves travel through fluids and solids by compressing and expanding the material in the direction of wave propagation. P-waves are the fastest seismic waves and are the first to be detected by seismographs during an earthquake, providing crucial information about the Earth's interior structure. In the case of the outer core, their behavior indicates that it is in a liquid state, as P-waves cannot travel through gases.
Transverse waves do not pass through the liquid outer core of the Earth. These waves vibrate perpendicular to the direction of wave propagation, making it unable to pass through the liquid outer core due to its fluid nature.
The sudden density change from the lower mantle to the outer core causes P-waves (compression or longitudinal waves) to be refracted and S-waves (shear or transverse waves) to be absorbed as the outer core is liquid and so cannot support the propagation of S-waves.
Studies of earthquake waves passing through Earth support the conclusion that the Earth has distinct layers with varying densities and composition. This is because seismic waves travel at different speeds and paths as they move through different layers, providing information about the internal structure of the Earth.
Scientists determined that the Earth's outer core is liquid primarily through the study of seismic waves generated by earthquakes. When these waves travel through the Earth, they behave differently depending on the state of the material they encounter. S-waves, which cannot travel through liquids, are absent in the outer core, indicating that it must be in a liquid state. Additionally, the behavior of P-waves, which can travel through both solids and liquids, further supports the conclusion that the outer core is liquid.
S-waves, or shear waves, do not pass through Earth's liquid outer core. Unlike P-waves (primary waves), which are compressional and can travel through both solids and liquids, S-waves can only move through solids. This inability to traverse the liquid outer core provides crucial evidence for the Earth's internal structure.
Scientists know the outer core is liquid because S waves, which cannot travel through liquid, are not detected beyond the core. Additionally, seismic waves from earthquakes have shown that P waves slow down significantly when passing through the outer core, indicating it is a liquid layer.
S waves cannot travel through the outer core because they can only travel through solids, and the outer core is liquid.
The P-wave is a compression / longitudinal wave and so unlike the S-wave is able to travel through the liquid outer core.
Diagrams illustrating the Earth's internal structure often show the outer core as a distinct layer beneath the mantle, typically labeled to indicate it is liquid. Additionally, seismic wave data represented in these diagrams demonstrates that S-waves cannot travel through the outer core, indicating it is not solid. The presence of P-waves that can travel through the outer core further supports its liquid state, as they slow down when passing through this layer. Together, these elements in the diagram provide strong evidence for the outer core being liquid.
Roughly 2900 kilometers to the boundary between the mantle and the outer core which is a liquid.
Because it has been proven that the outer layer is made of liquid and secondary waves do not move through liquid ^~^
Transverse waves do not pass through the liquid outer core of the Earth. These waves vibrate perpendicular to the direction of wave propagation, making it unable to pass through the liquid outer core due to its fluid nature.
The sudden density change from the lower mantle to the outer core causes P-waves (compression or longitudinal waves) to be refracted and S-waves (shear or transverse waves) to be absorbed as the outer core is liquid and so cannot support the propagation of S-waves.
The Earth's outer core is a liquid layer composed mainly of iron and nickel. It is responsible for generating the planet's magnetic field through convection currents. The outer core is situated below the mantle and extends to a depth of about 2,300 kilometers.
Studies of earthquake waves passing through Earth support the conclusion that the Earth has distinct layers with varying densities and composition. This is because seismic waves travel at different speeds and paths as they move through different layers, providing information about the internal structure of the Earth.
True. The outer core of the Earth is a layer of liquid iron and nickel that surrounds the solid inner core. It is responsible for generating Earth's magnetic field through convection currents.
S-waves cannot travel through the liquid outer core because it cannot support shear stress. Instead, they are either absorbed or reflected when they reach the outer core boundary, causing a shadow zone on the opposite side of the Earth from the earthquake where these waves are not detected.