Question

Earthquakes are measured by the Richter scale and demonstrated by the formula R=log(A/A(o))where A measures the amplitude of the earthquake wave and A(o) is the amplitude of the smallest detectable wave (or standard wave). An earthquake measures 6.6 on the Richter scale. How many times as great is the earthquake wave when compared to the standard wave? Round to the nearest whole number.

Answer 1

Explanation:

`r = log( (a)/(a(0)) )`

we know that

r is 6.6

`6.6 = log( (a)/(a(o)) )`

`10 {}^(6.6) = 10 {}^{ log( (a)/(a(0)) ) }`

`10 {}^(6.6) = (a)/(a(o))`

`10 {}^(6.6) a(o) = a`

This means that

the amplitude of earthquake wave is about 3981071 times greater than the amplitude of the standard wave.