GEOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -Scientists discovered that Earth’s outer core is liquid by observing seismic waves. P waves travel through solid and liquid, but S waves do not travel through liquid.

Detailed explanation-2: -6. Figure 19.2b: S-waves do not travel through the outer core, creating an even bigger shadow zone for S-waves. The fact that S-waves do not travel through the outer core suggests that the latter is liquid.

Detailed explanation-3: -Answer and Explanation: Only the P waves can reach the Earth’s inner core. P waves and S waves are both body waves, or seismic waves that can propagate through the Earth’s interior.

Detailed explanation-4: -Shear waves cannot travel in liquids or gases–so, for example, S waves don’t travel through the ocean or through the outer core.

Detailed explanation-5: -P waves can travel through liquid and solids and gases, while S waves only travel through solids. Scientists use this information to help them determine the structure of Earth. For example, if an earthquake occurs on one side of Earth, seismometers around the globe can measure the resulting S and P waves.