A seismograph is an instrument used to measure the motions of the Earth's surface. It’s a simple pendulum. When the ground shakes, the base and frame of the instrument move with it, but the pendulum bob in place. It will then appear to move, relative to the shaking ground. As it moves it records the pendulum displacements as they change with time, tracing out a record called a seismogram.
The activity explores the engineering behind seismographs and how technology has improved the accurate recording of earthquakes. Grade 8 students build a simple seismograph out of everyday items, tested it during a simulated earthquake, evaluated their results, and presented their findings to the class.
School - Garodia International Centre for Learning in Mumbai, GICLM
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