Question

Scientists use the properties of seismic waves to figure out the structure of Earth's interior. For example, seismic waves travel faster through denser layers than through less dense layers. Also, P waves can travel through both solids and liquids, but S waves can travel through solids only.

Because P and S waves travel faster through the Earth's mantle than through Earth's crust, scientists know that the mantle is _______ and _______ than the crust.
A.
solid; denser
B.
liquid; less dense
C.
liquid; denser
D.
solid; less dense

Answer 1

The correct answer is:

A. solid; denser

This is because seismic waves (both P and S waves) travel faster through the denser and solid layers of the Earth, which indicates that the mantle is indeed solid and denser than the crust.