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Stand the box up on one of the smaller sides. Carefully poke two holes opposite from each other near the rim of the cup. Tie a piece of string (slightly longer than the length of the box) to each hole. Carefully poke two holes in the top of the box (make them the same distance apart as the holes in the cup).
How do you make a tin can seismograph?
Directions Have an adult punch two holes in the tin can with a nail or can opener. Cut a piece of rope long enough to suspend the can from a ceiling so it will reach almost to the table top. If you cannot suspend the tin can from the ceiling make the rope long enough for someone to hold while doing this activity.
How do you make a cardboard seismograph?
Instructions Cut the lid or flaps off the cardboard box. Poke two holes opposite each other near the rim of the cup. Tie a piece of string, slightly longer than the length of the box, to each hole. Poke two holes in the top of the box, making sure they are the same distance apart as the holes in the cup.
What are the three components of a seismograph?
To overcome this problem, modern seismograph stations have three separate instruments to record horizontal waves – (1) one to record the north-south waves, (2) another to record east-west waves, and (3) a vertical one in which a weight resting on a spring tends to stand still and record vertical ground motions.
Is it possible to build your own seismograph?
It is relatively easy to acquire the necessary materials and build your own seismometer. The links here are to various sources with information on how to build a seismometer. They range from very simple and inexpensive to sophisticated and pricey.
How much does a seismometer cost?
A typical station, like the one at Kent, costs about $30,000 (a good seismometer can cost from $13,000 to $20,000, Kim said). With Kent finished and online, the seismologists will now start analyzing all the data. You can keep track of the ongoing earthquake monitoring at the network’s website.
What are seismographs made of?
The components of a seismograph are standard. The most important material is aluminum, followed by normal electrical equipment composed of copper, steel, glass, and plastic. A modern seismograph consists of one or more seismometers that measure the vibrations of the earth.
What is the difference between Richter scale and seismograph?
A seismograph is an instrument used to detect and record earthquakes. It is also known as a seismometer. It records the motion of the ground during a quake. The Richter scale is a numerical value used to measure the power or magnitude of earthquakes.
How does seismograph look like?
When you look at a seismogram, there will be wiggly lines all across it. These are all the seismic waves that the seismograph has recorded. Most of these waves were so small that nobody felt them. Because P waves are the fastest seismic waves, they will usually be the first ones that your seismograph records.
How long does a seismograph last?
What happens to the seismic data if the power goes out during an earthquake? The seismograph will run on internal batteries for about 36 hours.
Where is the seismograph placed?
A seismograph is an instrument for measuring earthquake (seismic) waves. They are held in a very solid position, either on the bedrock or on a concrete base.
Where do you place the seismometer?
Therefore, the ideal place for a seismometer is in a quiet, remote area, far from busy urban activities. The seismometer site should have a thin soil cover to minimize soil noise. Thin soil also makes the installation and maintenance of the seismometer easier.
What are the different types of seismograph?
Instruments come in three main varieties: short period, long period and broadband. The short and long period measure velocity and are very sensitive, however they ‘clip’ the signal or go off-scale for ground motion that is strong enough to be felt by people.
What are the fastest body waves?
P Waves. The first kind of body wave is the P wave or primary wave. It’s the fastest kind of seismic wave, and the first to arrive at a seismic station. P waves can move through solid rock and fluids, like water or the liquid layers of the Earth.
What are the parts of a seismogram?
A seismogram is the recording of the ground shaking at the specific location of the instrument. On a seismogram, the HORIZONTAL axis = time (measured in seconds) and the VERTICAL axis= ground displacement (usually measured in millimeters).
How does a homemade seismograph work?
Seismographs are made by hanging a heavy weight from a rigid frame connected to the ground. When the ground moves during an earthquake, the frame moves back and forth along with the ground. The heavy weight, however, is not connected directly to the ground, and it wants to stay in place.
Can seismographs predict earthquakes?
Since that time, scientists have developed and used a device called a seismometer to better understand seismic waves. Today, seismometers help scientists predict earthquakes.
What happens on the paper as you shake the cardboard box?
When you shake the box, it moves back and forth, and the paper moves along with it. This means that the paper moves back and forth under the (mostly) stationary marker, resulting in a squiggly line.
How many seismometers are?
Still, their deployment is relatively limited: Whereas about 1900 seismometers have collected data in the ocean over the past 20 years, the nongovernmental International Seismological Centre lists about 11 500 active sensors on land globally.
How do ocean bottom seismometers work?
Seismometers work using the principle of inertia. The seismometer body rests securely on the sea floor. Inside, a heavy mass hangs on a spring between two magnets. When the earth moves, so do the seismometer and its magnets, but the mass briefly stays where it is.
