Mechanical Waves Recorded after an Earthquake

AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around calculating the distance from a seismic station to the earthquake's center using the recorded times of transverse and longitudinal waves. The transverse wave is recorded 10 seconds after the longitudinal wave, with speeds of 300 m/s and 500 m/s, respectively. Participants emphasize the importance of showing prior thought on homework problems before seeking help. The approach involves setting up an equation based on the relationship between distance, speed, and time. The conversation highlights the educational practice of guiding rather than directly solving problems for learners.
Harli
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Homework Statement
A seismic station records the transverse wave 10s after recording the longitudinal wave. Find the distance of the seismic station from the center of the earthquake.

V transverse=300m/s
V longitudinal=500m/s
Relevant Equations
f=1/T or f=N/t
λ = v/f
.
 
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Hint: How do speed, distance, and time relate to each other?
 
Harli said:
Homework Statement:: A seismic station records the transverse wave 10s after recording the longitudinal wave. Find the distance of the seismic station from the center of the earthquake.

V transverse=300m/s
V longitudinal=500m/s
Relevant Equations:: f=1/T or f=N/t
λ = v/f

.
Let, V transverse be v1 and V longitudinal be v2.
If 'd' is the distance of the seismic station from the center of the earthquake, we have -
d/v1 - d/v2 = 10...solve for d!
 
raawe said:
Let, V transverse be v1 and V longitudinal be v2.
If 'd' is the distance of the seismic station from the center of the earthquake, we have -
d/v1 - d/v2 = 10...solve for d!
Hi @raawe. Welcome to PF. You have made the same mistake that I did when I arrived here!

If anyone asks for help with homework, they need to show that they have already thought about about the problem. See point 4 in the guidelines: https://www.physicsforums.com/threads/homework-help-guidelines-for-students-and-helpers.686781/

So we typically 'steer' people, rather than directly solve their problem. Often that involves a series of questions and answers. That's why @Doc Al replied as in Post #2.
 
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Steve4Physics said:
Hi @raawe. Welcome to PF. You have made the same mistake that I did when I arrived here!

If anyone asks for help with homework, they need to show that they have already thought about about the problem. See point 4 in the guidelines: https://www.physicsforums.com/threads/homework-help-guidelines-for-students-and-helpers.686781/

So we typically 'steer' people, rather than directly solve their problem. Often that involves a series of questions and answers. That's why @Doc Al replied as in Post #2.
My apologies. I will take from now.
 
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Likes Tom.G, berkeman and Steve4Physics
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