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Seismic Shadow Zones Inside Earth
Figure 9 shows the layers inside the Earth. An earthquake occurs at the position shown.
Which letter shows the position where only P-waves will be detected? Give a reason for your answer. Tick one box.
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Marking points
- 1 Selects D.
- 2 Explains that P-waves can pass through the liquid outer core but S-waves cannot.
Full-mark answer
D. P-waves can travel through the liquid outer core, but S-waves cannot, so only P-waves reach D.
Why this answer loses marks
Selects a position using distance from the earthquake alone.
The deciding evidence is whether the path crosses the liquid outer core, which passes P-waves but blocks S-waves.