A few science questions?

Question

1 Do earthquake waves or volcanic activity best help scientists predict what the earth's interior is like?

2 How does sound travel in a thunderstorm?

3 Why are there no fossils on volcanic rock like the ones found in amber?

4 What is one other source of energy, besides light and sound, that is present during a thunder storm?

Thanks :)

Answer 1

Volcanic activity tells us about magma composition, but earthquake waves can sohw us what is inside the earth, P and S waves travel differently through different mediums, so we know we have a solid core.

Sound in a thunderstorm is produced by the sudden increase in pressure and temperature from the lightning. As air expands, a sohck wave is produced.

There are no fossils in volcanic, or igneous, rocks, because the pressure and temperature destroys them. You do get fossils in sedimentary rocks, formed by pressure under the sea as more silt falls on top of the rotting carcuses.

Thunderstorms work like a capacitor, charge is stored, then released. Therefore electrical energy is also present.

Any more? :P

Jess x

Answer 2

1. Yes. Earthquake waves, gives scientists an understanding about what the earths interior is like - because, there are 3 types of energy waves off an earthquake.

P, S and L waves. P waves are faster because they can travel through solids and liquids. However S waves cant travel through liquids, and L waves only travel through the Lithosphere, so the time it takes for each wave to reach a seismic recording station, scientists can distinguish what the earth's interior is like.

2. Thunder is the sound made by lightning. Depending on the nature of the lightning and distance of the hearer, it can range from a sharp, loud crack to a long, low rumble. The sudden increase in pressure and temperature from lightning produces rapid expansion of the air surrounding and within a bolt of lightning. In turn, this expansion of air creates a sonic shock wave which produces the sound of thunder.

3. There are no fossils in volcanic rock, because volcanic rock is formed under extreme heat, which would destroy the fossils from sedimentary rocks, during the rock cycle.

4. Thermal/Heat Energy - Lightning heats nearby air to about 10,000 °C (18,000 °F) nearly instantly, which is almost twice the temperature of the Sun’s surface. The heating creates a shock wave that is heard as thunder.