What equation represents the magnitude of an earthquake that is …

Mathematics Questions

The magnitude, M, of an earthquake is defined to be M = log StartFraction I Over S EndFraction, where I is the intensity of the earthquake (measured by the amplitude of the seismograph wave) and S is the intensity of a “standard” earthquake, which is barely detectable. Which equation represents the magnitude of an earthquake that is 10 times more intense than a standard earthquake?

Short Answer

The process of calculating the magnitude of an earthquake involves understanding the intensity and standard magnitude, setting up the relationship between them (where intensity is 10 times the standard), and applying the logarithmic formula to find the magnitude. This leads to the conclusion that in this scenario, the earthquake’s magnitude can be computed as log(10).

Step-by-Step Solution

Step 1: Understand Intensity and Magnitude

First, recognize the terms involved in earthquake measurement. The intensity of an earthquake, denoted by I, is determined based on its wave amplitude. The standard magnitude for comparing earthquakes is represented by S. Understanding these fundamental concepts is crucial for the calculations that follow.

Step 2: Set Up the Relationship

To evaluate the magnitude M of an earthquake that has an intensity 10 times greater than a standard earthquake, you can use the equation:

  • I = 10S (indicating the intensity is 10 times that of standard).
  • This relationship sets the stage for using logarithms to find the magnitude.

Step 3: Calculate the Magnitude

Now, use the formula for calculating the magnitude:

  • M = log(I/S)
  • Substituting I from step 2, you get M = log(10S/S).
  • This simplifies to M = log(10), which means that the magnitude of the earthquake in this scenario can be computed clearly.

Related Concepts

Intensity

The measure of the strength or amplitude of seismic waves during an earthquake, denoted by i

Magnitude

A standardized measure for comparing the size of earthquakes, typically using logarithmic scales to express the amount of energy released, denoted by m

Logarithm

A mathematical function that helps in determining the exponent that a base number must be raised to produce a given number, essential in calculating earthquake magnitude from intensity.

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