Shaking the House

A Teachers Guide

Down

The purpose of this activity is to provide students with a very basic understanding on how earthquakes affect the surface of the Earth. Through this activity, students can infer that an earthquake has an origin, a point where the slippage occurred. In this activity, the origin (tapping) can be more accurately described as the epicenter of the earthquake. Students will comprehend that vibrations, in the form of waves, are released by an earthquake. These waves cause the damage we see on the surface of the earth. The closer a structure is to the epicenter (origin) of an earthquake, the more damage there will be inflicted upon the structure due to the closer proximity to the waves. They will learn that as waves move away from the origin they begin to weaken, which is why structures further form the earthquake experience less damage. This activity can further explore the idea of how the waves might travel and if 1 or more type of wave influences a specific location. An extension to this activity can explore the effect of various surfaces and their effect on structures when an earthquake strikes. Materials needed: Cardboard Box Deck of cards Dominoes Building blocks Extensions: o Metal Pan o Uncooked beans or rice

Procedure: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Divide the students up into groups of 4. Give each group a cardboard box, some cards, some dominoes, and some building blocks. Turn the box upside down Have the students work through the activity pack. Guide and encourage the students to explore the activity as they work through the activity pack. When the activity is completed, have a classroom discussion on what they observed and how these could be related to earthquakes.

Adaptation: Explore how different surfaces will affect the ability of the 3 types of houses to withstand an earthquake. Use the metal baking pan and uncooked rice to simulate different surfaces.

Name:_____________________

Shaking the House Down

Date:_____________________

Using the materials provided, you will work with your group to investigate earthquakes. Follow the procedures listed below and answer each question thoroughly and in complete sentences.

Exploration Earthquake:
Before beginning your activity, answer the following question:

1. Explain the similarities and differences between the playing cards, dominoes, and building blocks.

Procedure:
1. Flip your cardboard box upside down so that the flat bottom of the is on top. 2. Using your cards, build 2 houses. 3. House 1 should be built near the edge of the box, house 2 should be built on the opposite side of the first house between the middle and edge of the box.

1. Predict what will happen when you lightly tap 8-10 times the box near house 1.

4. Tap the box lightly 8-10 times near house 1. Observe what happens to each house.

2. Write down what you observed.

3. What happened to house 1? House 2? Which house experienced the most damage? Why do you think this house had more damage?

4. Why did taping the box cause the houses to experience change?

5. What might the taps represent in relation to a real earthquake?

7. Now, build 2 houses made of dominoes. House 1 should be placed near the edge of the box again, and house 2 should be placed on the opposite side between the middle and edge of the box. 8. Tap the box lightly 8-10 time near house 1. Observe what happens to each house as you tap.

6. Write down what you observed in experiment 2.

9. Now, build 2 houses made of building blocks. House 1 should be placed near the edge of the box again, and house 2 should be placed on the opposite side between the middle and edge of the box. 10. Tap the box lightly 8-10 time near house 1. Observe what happens to each house as you tap.

7. Write down what you observed in experiment 2. 8. What do the different houses in this activity represent? 9. What differences were there in the results between the 3 houses? 10. What could be released from your finger into the box when you tap? How does this compare to an earthquake? 11. Do you think more than 1 vibration hits each house as you tap? 12. Where do the vibrations begin? 13. How might the waves travel as they leave the origin? 14. Overall, what can you conclude about earthquakes so far based on this activity?