Determine size of planet's core by distance S-waves travel

[scatterbrain8]

You are visiting a new planet with radius of 5000km. You set up a seismic network and detonate a test chare at the north pole at time T=0. At time T=24minutes your instruments detect S-waves at a latitude of -60 degrees. No S-waves are detected south of -60 degrees.

what is the size and nature of the planet's core?


So, I know S-waves can't penetrate liquid, but they do not travel linearly because they refract through different density layers. However, I don't understand why the S-waves travel all the way down to -60 degrees. Can a planet have a core that is off center? I don't really know where to start, any help would be appreciated

 

[MichaelXY]

Try this link.
http://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/project_ideas/Geo_p022.shtml

 

[Blueshift5]

Based on the given information, it is possible to determine the size and nature of the planet's core. The fact that S-waves were detected at a latitude of -60 degrees but not south of that point suggests that the S-waves were unable to travel through the core. This indicates that the planet's core is most likely made of liquid, as S-waves cannot travel through liquids.

To determine the size of the core, we can use the travel time of the S-waves. Since the S-waves were detected at a latitude of -60 degrees after 24 minutes, we can estimate the distance they traveled. Using the formula distance = speed x time, and assuming the speed of S-waves to be approximately 4 km/s, we can calculate that the S-waves traveled approximately 96 km.

Now, since the radius of the planet is 5000 km, we can subtract the distance traveled by the S-waves (96 km) from the radius to get an estimate of the size of the core. This would give us a core size of approximately 4904 km.

It is also possible that the planet's core is off-center, as you mentioned. However, this would require further investigation and data to accurately determine the exact location and size of the core. Additionally, the composition of the core (whether it is solid or liquid) would also need to be determined through further analysis.

In conclusion, based on the given information, it is likely that the planet's core is liquid and has a size of approximately 4904 km. Further research and data collection would be needed to confirm these findings and to determine the exact nature and location of the core.