Q is the inverse of
attenuation. A high Q means a low attenuation.
Attenuation
When you throw a
pebble in a pond, it makes waves on the surface that move out
from the place where the pebble entered the water. The waves are
largest where they are formed and gradually get smaller as they
move away. This decrease in size, or
amplitude, of the waves is called attenuation.
Seismic waves also become attenuated as they move away from the
earthquake source.
Ripples on a pond are attenuated as they
move away from the source. (Photo by Beth Conant)
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