Design a Seismograph Lab

Design a Seismograph Lab

Discovery of reaction to the weight when the wave is added

Kyle C.

2/7/2011

Objective: Find the reaction of the wave (seismograph) when the weight attached

I. GUIDING QUESTION/S:
What will occur when different weights are added to the surface wave (Finding the work of seismographs)?

II.HYPOTHESIS:
Kyle: I believe that depending on which or how much the weight, the solution of the balance will vary.


III. Exploration (PLAN & DO A TEST):

Materials:

Previous Fail Trial Materials:

Red Pen
Blue Pen
Chicken Wire
Scissors
Board Game for the bottom
Tape
Wagon Wood Wheel
Paper
Weight
String

New Trial Materials:

Pen
Weight
Tape
Paper
Ruler
Science Discovery Book
Chicken Wire
Table (As an earthquake)

Procedure (New Seismograph Procedure):

(After Gathering the Materials above)

1. First attach/tape the tip of 2 rulers to the wall horizontally and parallel
2. By using the tap attach the chicken wire to the rulers.
3. Then connect the pen to the wire, which holds the weight. (The objective is to see, if adding weight will affect the result )
4. The pen should be stationary; the pen will be producing seismogram.
5. When the pen with weight is connected with the rulers, slowly prepare the papers and the table to produce earthquake (magnitude).
6. Let one person move the paper slowly when one or two shakes and create earthquake movements.
7. As a result, the seismogram will show the wave vibrations.


IV. RECORD & ANALYZE

Failed Attempt

Successful attempt

Data of Seismogram Analysis:

Kyle’s Analysis of the Seismogram:

The Graph shown above shows our final data of the new seismograph we made. As the seismograph reacted by the magnitude of the table, the wavelength and the frequency of the seismogram altered. The monitor up there shows how fast and how hard the magnitude reacted. In final consideration, the new seismograph we made was efficient, simple, and easy. I had discover that the seismogram will show difference results when depending on the weight; as more weights are included the shorter the wavelength will be and faster the vibration or the movement.

C. Analysis of Data:

Kyle’s Analysis: I had figured out that the result and the affect of the wave movements will alter depending on how many weights are added to the pen.


IV. Concept Acquisition (CONCLUSION):

Kyle’s Conclusion: There are several conclusions to write down; mistakes and trials were made throughout the tests, some were successful but majorities weren’t. As our class started the seismograph lab, my group partners had left without a sign. Though this wasn’t the major problem it could had caused a huge impact. But the problem of this lab was that many attempts were made, however not a single we expected came out. All of us had discovered that the pen should had been stationary, if not we had to adjust the box (it was arduous to adjust since the box was about to be ripped). As my group mates knew this matter, we needed support or a change, we lost control when we were trying to aim higher.


V. Concept Application (FURTHER INQUIRY):

Kyle’s Further Inquiry: It is really difficult to mention all the improvements we have to look for when we try this lab again; if we actually have a chance to work this out again, I would be concentrating more on the actual seismograph instead of improving it to make it better. On the other hand, I believe that our seismograph lab didn’t work out that well was due to the cooperation condition, I discovered that having a lot of group members in my group won’t going to work since then, we need to care if others are on the right track. As a result, the work won’t be successful, however I felt that our work was organized since all of our group members wanted to be tidy during the project. Other wise just being sure the pen is stationary, I am proud of the work. In conclusion, the seismograph is a useful method to detect the seismic waves but when it gets to making one, we have to see about that.