Richter Scale The Richter scale is used to measure the intensity of earthq...

Richter Scale The Richter scale is used to measure the intensity of earthquakes. The Richter scale rating of an earthquake is given by the formula

where E is the energy released by the earthquake (measured in ergs).

a. The San Francisco earthquake of 1906 is estimated to have registered R = 7.9 on the Richter scale. How many ergs of energy were released?

b. The Japan earthquake of 2011 registered 9.0 on the Richter scale. Compare the two: The energy released in the 1906 earthquake was what percentage of the energy released in the 2011 quake?

c. Solve the equation given above for E in terms of R.

d. Use the result of part (c) to show that if two earthquakes registering R₁ and R₂ on the Richter scale release E₁ and E₂ ergs of energy, respectively, then

e. Fill in the blank: If one earthquake registers 2 points more on the Richter scale than another, then it releases ___ times the amount of energy.