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.
Scientists have determined that the outer core of Earth is liquid through seismic wave analysis. By studying the behavior of seismic waves as they pass through the Earth, scientists have found that S-waves are unable to travel through the outer core, indicating that it is liquid. This information has been crucial in our understanding of Earth's structure and dynamics.
This knowledge is based on the behavior of seismic waves, particularly the behavior of P-waves and S-waves. S-waves are unable to travel through liquids, and this particular wave trait indicates a boundary between the solid mantle and the liquid outer core. As S-Waves do not propagate through the outer core a "shadow" zone is created on the other side of the earth from the source of seismic waves. In this zone no S-waves are detected. The boundary between the inner core and outer core is also detected by a difference in velocities of P-waves. The Earth's magnetic field also originates in the liquid outer core by the movement and currents of molten metal in this layer.
P waves, or primary waves, are a type of seismic wave that can travel through both solid and liquid. When they reach the Earth's core, which is primarily liquid, they bend due to the change in density and material properties. This bending causes P waves to create a shadow zone on the opposite side of the Earth, where no direct P waves are detected, indicating the existence of a liquid outer core. The behavior of these waves provides critical insights into the Earth's internal structure.
The discovery that the Earth's outer core is liquid primarily came from the study of seismic waves generated by earthquakes. Scientists observed that P-waves (primary waves) could travel through the Earth's interior, but S-waves (secondary waves) could not pass through the outer core, indicating that it was in a liquid state. This behavior of seismic waves provided crucial evidence that the outer core is not solid, leading to the understanding of its liquid composition.
Primary waves ( P-waves) can travel through earth's outer core.
S waves are not transmitted through the Earth's outer core because it is liquid, and S waves cannot travel through liquids. This creates a shadow zone on the opposite side of the Earth from an earthquake where S waves are not detected.
The sizes of Earth's inner core, outer core, and mantle are determined through seismic studies, which analyze how seismic waves travel through the different layers of the Earth. Scientists study the speed of seismic waves and how they bend or refract as they travel through the Earth to determine the size and composition of these layers.
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.
Scientists have determined that the outer core of Earth is liquid through seismic wave analysis. By studying the behavior of seismic waves as they pass through the Earth, scientists have found that S-waves are unable to travel through the outer core, indicating that it is liquid. This information has been crucial in our understanding of Earth's structure and dynamics.
Shear waves will not pass through the outer core of the Earth due to its liquid state. This is known as the "shadow zone" where S-waves are absorbed or refracted. This phenomenon was instrumental in providing evidence for the existence of the Earth's outer core.
A body wave that does not penetrate the Earth's core is a compressional wave or P-wave. P-waves travel through the Earth by compressing and expanding the material they pass through, but they do not travel through the outer core because the outer core is liquid.
No, because to reach the center of the Earth, they need to pass through the outer core. Secondary waves, or S-waves, can't pass through liquids, such as the liquid outer core, so they can't thus even reach the center of the Earth.
This knowledge is based on the behavior of seismic waves, particularly the behavior of P-waves and S-waves. S-waves are unable to travel through liquids, and this particular wave trait indicates a boundary between the solid mantle and the liquid outer core. As S-Waves do not propagate through the outer core a "shadow" zone is created on the other side of the earth from the source of seismic waves. In this zone no S-waves are detected. The boundary between the inner core and outer core is also detected by a difference in velocities of P-waves. The Earth's magnetic field also originates in the liquid outer core by the movement and currents of molten metal in this layer.
P waves, or primary waves, are a type of seismic wave that can travel through both solid and liquid. When they reach the Earth's core, which is primarily liquid, they bend due to the change in density and material properties. This bending causes P waves to create a shadow zone on the opposite side of the Earth, where no direct P waves are detected, indicating the existence of a liquid outer core. The behavior of these waves provides critical insights into the Earth's internal structure.
There are two types of seismic body waves that travel through the earth when an earthquake occurs. P-waves and S-waves. When an earthquake occurs it has been observed that there is a zone at the opposite side of the earth where P-waves are detected but S-waves are not. S-waves are not able to travel through liquids where as P-waves can and as such it is believed that the shadow zone is caused by the presence of a liquid outer core.
Earth's outer core is composed primarily of liquid iron and nickel, which cannot transmit S waves because these waves require a solid medium to propagate. When S waves encounter the liquid outer core, they are absorbed rather than transmitted, resulting in a shadow zone where no S waves are detected. This property of the outer core provides crucial evidence for its liquid state.