Final answer:
The intensity of an earthquake is related to how strongly it is felt at a particular location. The Richter scale measures the amount of seismic energy released by an earthquake, and each whole number increase on the scale represents a tenfold increase in energy. A magnitude 6 earthquake releases about 31.6 times more energy than a magnitude 5 earthquake.
Step-by-step explanation:
The intensity of an earthquake is related to how strongly it is felt at a particular location. It is measured using the Modified Mercalli Intensity (MMI) scale, which ranges from I (not felt) to XII (total destruction). The Richter scale, on the other hand, measures the amount of seismic energy released by an earthquake, which is determined by the amplitude of seismic waves recorded by seismographs. The Richter scale is logarithmic, so each whole number increase on the scale represents a tenfold increase in the amplitude and approximately 31.6 times more energy released.
Therefore, comparing the magnitudes of the two earthquakes, a magnitude 6 earthquake releases about 31.6 times more energy than a magnitude 5 earthquake. However, it's important to note that the intensity of an earthquake can vary depending on various factors, such as distance from the epicenter, depth, and local geological conditions.