Grade level & Section: Grade 8 B2-Kindness Date: December 9, 2024
Leader: Vince Ervin S. Velasco Group #__________________
Members:
1. Rian Rosette
2. Christian Unciano
3. Adam Bacani Tubog
4. Joziah Simene
5. Kent Arvie Sualog
DIY Earthquake Detector Experiment
Problem: Earthquakes are unpredictable and can cause significant damage, so detecting them as early as possible can
save lives. A DIY earthquake detector can help simulate how scientists measure the motion of the ground to detect seismic
activity. This experiment aims to build a simple model of an earthquake detector using basic materials, simulating the
movement of the earth during an earthquake.
Objectives: Write at least two objectives.
1.
2.
Materials:
• A cardboard box or sturdy base for mounting the setup.
• A small plastic cup or a container (to simulate the "sensor").
• String or thread (to act as a trigger mechanism).
• A small weight (like a metal washer or bolt) to hang inside the cup.
• A piece of thin wire or paper clip to act as a pendulum (the earthquake trigger).
• Scissors and tape or glue.
• A ruler or measuring tape.
• A smartphone or another device to measure the sensitivity (optional).
• Markers (to label parts of the setup).
• A protractor (optional, to measure the tilt of the pendulum).
Hypothesis: 1.
Procedures:
1. Construct the base:
o Start by attaching the cardboard or base on a flat surface to keep it steady during the experiment.
o Ensure that the base is not overly rigid, as the movement should mimic the shaking of the ground.
2. Prepare the "sensor" (pendulum):
o Cut a piece of string about 30 cm long.
o Attach a small weight (such as a metal washer) to one end of the string.
o Tape the other end of the string to the center of the cup or small container so that the weight can freely
swing when the container is moved.
3. Set up the trigger mechanism:
o Place the cup on the flat surface of the base.
o Attach a thin wire or a bent paper clip next to the cup, ensuring that the weight can trigger it to swing
when the base moves slightly (simulating an earthquake).
o Ensure that the string is long enough for the weight to swing freely with the smallest vibration.
4. Simulate an earthquake:
o Carefully shake the base slightly or tap it with your hand to simulate an earthquake. You can vary the
intensity of the shaking to observe different responses.
o As the base moves, the pendulum (the weight) should swing back and forth.
5. Measure the "quake":
o Use the ruler to measure how far the pendulum swings in response to the vibrations.
o If using a smartphone, you can use a built-in accelerometer (many smartphones have one) to record the
intensity of the shake.
6. Record the results:
o Write down how the pendulum reacts to different levels of shaking (mild, moderate, strong).
o Measure how far the pendulum swings or how long it takes to stop after a strong shake.
Questions to Answer:
1. How did the pendulum react to mild, moderate, and strong shaking?
2. What is the smallest vibration that caused the pendulum to move?
3. What components of an actual earthquake detector or seismometer are similar to your model?
4. Would using a more sensitive material for the pendulum or adding a larger weight improve the accuracy?
5. How do scientists detect seismic waves in real earthquakes? What is the role of early warning systems?
6. How do professional earthquake detectors differ from your DIY model in terms of accuracy and sensitivity?
Conclusion:
