Seismometers are delicate scientific tools used to detect tremors from earthquakes. Seismometers are the forward sentinels in those locations there earthquakes and volcanoes are active. When a volcano comes to life, scientists will place many seismometers in remote areas all around the volcano in order to monitor its activity. An increase in tremors is one sign hat a volcano is closer to erupting. The readings from many seismometers become the first line of safety for the people living near a volcano. Because of the dangers involved, most seismometers are designed to transmit by radio or satellite their data to a central spot where scientists can interpret it. With enough data and the proper calculations, scientists can warn people in time of possible danger. This project will give you an idea of how a seismometer works. Don’t forget to share your results at Zoom kids, click here

This project is worth 20 POINTS EXTRA CREDIT TEST GRADE.

Your seismograph should be able to

  • record vibrations continuously for 30 seconds
  • produce a seismogram that can distinguish between gentle and strong earthquakes
  • record seismic readings consistently from trial to trial

Materials and Preparation

· Small, stiff cardboard box (approximately (8”X10” 12” (deep))
· plastic cup (5” to 6” tall with thin sides)
· black or red felt tip marker
· 20” of string
· small rocks, marbles, or metal objects (bolts, screws, etc.)
· clay
· white paper (81/2” x 11”)
· scissors
· 6 wooden tongue depressors or Popsicle sticks
· 12” x ¼” ruler, wooden dowel, or metal rod.
· ½” masking tape

Part One – Assembly
PROCEDURE

  1. 1 Take a box. Cut off the flaps. Turn the box on its side so the open side faces you. The side of the box that is on top is now the top of your Seismometer.
  2. With scissors, poke two holes one inch apart in the top of the box. The holes should be towards the edge of the box closest to you.
  3. Poke one hole in the center of the bottom of the plastic cup for themarker.
  4. Cut two holes opposite each other along the rim of the cup.
  5. Put half of the marker through the hole in the center of the bottom of the cup. The writing end should be sticking out of the bottom of the cup.
  6. Put some clay around the marker where it goes through the hole so that the marker will stay in place.
  7. Place the dowel or metal rod across the top of the box and under the string and tape it in place. This will stiffen the box in preparation for the next step.
  8. With the string, suspend the cup from the holes in the box so that the tip of the pen touches the bottom of the box.
  9. Fill the cup 3/4 of the way with the marbles or rocks. Use the tongue depressors to put beneath the knot on the top of the box to adjust the height of the marker so that it just touches the bottom of the box. (If the top of the box sags, you may have to tape some sticks, in the form of a triangle, in place from the corners of the box to the center of the top.)

Part Two- Try It Out
PROCEDURE

  1. Cut a strip of paper that’s as deep as the box and approximately 4 ¼” inches wide.
  2. Put the paper on the bottom of the box with one end of the paper under the marker. Using the Popsicle sticks, readjust the height of the marker if necessary by putting the sticks under the string on top of the box. This keeps you from having to untie and tie the knot. The rocks etc., may stretch the string.
  3. Have someone gently, and with short, brisk irregular movements, shake the box gently for 10 second to model a weak earth quake and then for 10 seconds to model a strong earthquake.
  4. Observe the pen markings on the paper strip. Compare how the seismograph recorded the weak earthquake and the strong earthquake. Record your observations in the chart
  5. Repeat Steps 1–4 with a new paper strip. Compare the two paper strips to see how consistent your seismograph recordings were. Record your observations.
  6. As the shaking of the box increases, what happens to the lines on the paper? Try pounding on the table and see what kind of lines it makes. How sensitive is your seismometer? Does it record footsteps? Try making some changes to it so that it can detect really small movements in the air such as when you sing or talk softly.
  7. Mark a new strip of paper with lines 1” apart. Can you pull the paper through so that 1” of paper passes under the pen every 10 seconds? Practice this with several strips of paper.

Analyze and Conclude

  1. Evaluating What problems or shortcomings did you encounter with the seismograph you tested in Part 1? Why do you think these problems occurred?
  2. Designing A Solution How did you incorporate what you learned in Part 1 into your seismograph design in Part 2? For example, what changes did you make to improve consistency from trial to trial?
  3. Troubleshooting As you designed, built, and tested your seismograph, what problems did you encounter? How did you solve these problems?
  4. Working With Design Constraints What limitations did factors such as gravity, materials, costs, time, or other factors place on the design and function of your seismograph? Describe how you adapted your design to work within these limitations.
  5. Evaluating The Impact On Society Why is it important for scientists around the world to have access to accurate and durable seismographs?

CLOSURE ACTIVITY
Write an advertisement trying to “sell” your seismograph. In your ad, explain how your design and evaluation process helped you improve your seismograph. Include a labeled sketch of your design.