Seismic Waves

Earthquake: A natural phenomenon caused by the movement of the Earth's crust at a fault or crack.
Seismic Waves: Energy waves generated by earthquakes that travel through the Earth and can be detected around the world.

Earthquake Epicenter: The point on the Earth's surface directly above where the earthquake occurs.
P-Waves and S-Waves:
- P-Waves (Primary waves) and S-Waves (Secondary waves) exhibit different travel patterns:
  - P-Waves: Travel through both solids and liquids.
  - S-Waves: Only travel through solids.
Shadow Zone: Areas (e.g., 102° and 143°) where no waves are detected due to the presence of the Earth's inner composition.

P-Waves:
- Characteristics:
  - Primary waves and the first to arrive at a seismic station.
  - Exhibit a push-pull motion (compression).
  - Can travel through solid and liquid mediums.
- Observation Activity: Make predictions on the appearance and motion of P-waves.

Activity: Draw a slinky in your notebook to visualize P-wave motion.
Description of Motion: Discuss your observation, enhance, and clarify your description of the motion.

S-Waves:
- Characteristics:
  - Secondary waves that follow P-waves.
  - Involve shaking or shearing motion.
  - Travel exclusively through solids.
- Observation Activity: Make predictions on the appearance and motion of S-waves.

Activity: Draw a slinky in your notebook to visualize S-wave motion.
Description of Motion: Discuss your observations and improve upon your original descriptions of motion.

Comparison Activity:
- Create a Venn diagram or T-chart comparing P-waves and S-waves.
- Identify which wave travels faster and discuss methods to determine speed.
- Explore potential damage these waves may cause to the Earth's crust.

Medium: The material through which a wave travels (liquid, solid, gas).
Refraction:
- The bending of waves as they enter different mediums.
- Pose the question: Can sound waves bend? Provide evidence for your answer.

Energy Transfer: Waves transfer energy without transporting matter.
- Matter: Defined as anything that has mass and occupies space.
- Stadium Wave Activity:
  - Reflect on whether you moved with the wave or if the wave passed through you while remaining seated.
  - Identify the medium involved in the stadium wave.

Slinky and String Activity: Discuss how these tools illustrate wave behavior and the concept of energy versus matter.
Observation Discussion: Evaluate and explain observations, utilizing evidence to support claims regarding wave behavior.

Matter Interaction with Waves:
- Contemplate how matter reacts when waves pass through it.
- Develop a new test to demonstrate that waves do not transport matter.
- Outline methods to collect data and evidence.

Speed of Sound:
- Rubber: 60 m/s
- Air (40°C): 355 m/s
- Air (20°C): 343 m/s
- Lead: 1210 m/s
- Gold: 3240 m/s
- Glass: 4540 m/s
- Copper: 4600 m/s
- Aluminum: 6320 m/s

Crust
- Earths skin
- Solid layer of rock
- Dry land and ocean floor
- Between 5-70 km thick
Outer Mantle
- Molten iron and nickel
Inner Mantle
Outer Core
Inner Core
- Molten Iron and nickel