Past exam of the year 2 of the earth sciences (geology) course of the University of Oxford / 2024 / Paper 3 / 1 / b

The normal-incidence acoustic impedance is $Z=\rho V_p$, with units $\mathrm{kg}{\mathrm{m}}^{-2}{\mathrm{s}}^{-1}$. ThusDefine the pressure-amplitude reflection coefficient and pressure-amplitude transmission coefficient for incidence downwards from layer $i$ into layer $j$ byHere $p$ denotes compressional normal-stress amplitude; in the water it is the acoustic pressure. Continuity of normal traction and normal particle velocity gives these expressions. They describe each interface separately, before any layer layer reverberation.

For a lossless normal-incidence plane wave, intensity is proportional to $p^2/Z$, soA transmitted pressure amplitude exceeding unity is therefore compatible with conservation of energy. If instead the coefficient is defined for particle velocity measured along the same downward coordinate, $r_v=-r_p$ and $t_v=2Z_i/(Z_i+Z_j)=1-r_p$: the two transmitted velocity coefficients are $0.8000$ and $18/29=0.62069$. Upward incidence reverses the sign of $r_p$, interchanges the transmitted pressure and velocity coefficients, and leaves $R_E,T_E$ unchanged. At normal incidence between these ideal isotropic layers there is no P-to-S seismic mode conversion.