An earthquake releases two types of traveling seismic waves, called transverse and longitudinal waves. the average speed of the transverse and longitudinal waves in rock are 9.1 km/s and 5.7 km/s respectively. a seismograph records the arrival of the transverse waves 71 s before that of the longitudinal waves. assuming the waves travel in straight lines, how far away is the center of the earthquake?

1083.173 km

Explanation:

Speed of longitudinal waves = 9.1 km/s

Speed of transverse waves = 5.7 km/s

Time taken by the longitudinal wave is t

Time taken by the transverse wave is t+71

Distance = Speed × Time

Distance traveled by the longitudinal wave

Distance traveled by the transverse wave

Since both distances are equal

The time taken by the longitudinal wave is 119.03 seconds

Distance traveled by the longitudinal wave

The earthquake is 1083.173 km away

3.2x10^7