by what approximate factor is the intensity of an earthquake with magnitude 5.4 greater than an earthquake with magnitude5.3?
To determine the approximate factor by which the intensity of an earthquake with magnitude 5.4 is greater than an earthquake with magnitude 5.3, we can refer to the Richter scale.
The Richter scale is a logarithmic scale that measures the amplitude of seismic waves produced by an earthquake. Each whole number increase on the Richter scale represents a tenfold increase in the amplitude of the seismic waves and approximately 31.6 times more energy release.
In this case, the difference between magnitudes 5.4 and 5.3 is 0.1. To find the factor by which the intensity changes, we can use the formula:
Factor = 10^(0.1 * X)
Where X is the difference in magnitude.
Plugging in the value, we have:
Factor = 10^(0.1 * 0.1)
= 10^(0.01)
≈ 1.023
Therefore, the intensity of an earthquake with magnitude 5.4 is approximately 1.023 times greater than an earthquake with magnitude 5.3.