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Demonstrating P and S Waves with a Slinky
Initial Publication Date: December 2, 2008 Summary
P and S seismic waves can be demonstrated with a slinky. P waves have energy traveling parallel to the direction the wave is moving. S waves have energy traveling perpendicular to the direction the wave is moving.
Share your modifications and improvements to this activity through the Community Contribution Tool »Context
Audience
Introductory level seismology in a physical geology course.
Skills and concepts that students must have mastered
Hopefully they will have read the chapter.
How the activity is situated in the course
This is the hands-on part of a lecture on seismic waves. I have found this to be an eye opener for students. Also, any time you bring a slinky to class the students want to play with it. So, it's fun! Goals
Content/concepts goals for this activity
The students can see that I am putting energy into the slinky in two different ways. A quick push down the length of the stretched out slinky demonstrates a pressure wave and a quick flip of the wrist will send a shear wave down the slinky.
Higher order thinking skills goals for this activity
This is a simple analog model of P and S seismic waves. The demonstrations allows the students to answer questions about why P waves travel faster than S waves. Also, they can see why P waves can travel through a liquid while S waves cannot. Other skills goals for this activity
This is a great exercise to get a group of students working together.
Description of the activity/assignment
The students can see that I am putting energy into the slinky in two different ways. A quick push down the length of the stretched out slinky demonstrates a pressure wave and a quick flip of the wrist will send a shear wave down the slinky. This allows the students to answer questions about why P waves travel faster than S waves. Also, they can see why P waves can travel through a liquid while S waves cannot.
I first do the demonstration as described above then they break up into groups to experiment for themselves. I provide one slinky for every 4 students. We then talk about the liquid outer core of the Earth and how this would effect seismograph readings around the globe. Then I give a quiz to help them focus on what they have learned. Determining whether students have met the goals
A short quiz asks the students to explain the differences between P and S waves, and their unique attributes. More information about assessment tools and techniques.Teaching materials and tips
Share your modifications and improvements to this activity through the Community Contribution Tool »
Other Materials
- This activity has supplemental information submitted as part of the InTeGrate Teaching the Methods of Geoscience workshop in June 2012.
Looking for teaching materials?
Check our quick guide to Finding Earth Education Resources at SERC for some strategies that will help you make the most of the collections.
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Related Links
Related Links
Demonstrating P and S Waves with a Slinky
Initial Publication Date: December 2, 2008
Summary
P and S seismic waves can be demonstrated with a slinky. P waves have energy traveling parallel to the direction the wave is moving. S waves have energy traveling perpendicular to the direction the wave is moving.
Collapse
Context
Audience
Introductory level seismology in a physical geology course.
Skills and concepts that students must have mastered
Hopefully they will have read the chapter.
How the activity is situated in the course
This is the hands-on part of a lecture on seismic waves. I have found this to be an eye opener for students. Also, any time you bring a slinky to class the students want to play with it. So, it's fun!
Goals
Content/concepts goals for this activity
The students can see that I am putting energy into the slinky in two different ways. A quick push down the length of the stretched out slinky demonstrates a pressure wave and a quick flip of the wrist will send a shear wave down the slinky.
Higher order thinking skills goals for this activity
This is a simple analog model of P and S seismic waves. The demonstrations allows the students to answer questions about why P waves travel faster than S waves. Also, they can see why P waves can travel through a liquid while S waves cannot.
Other skills goals for this activity
This is a great exercise to get a group of students working together.
Description of the activity/assignment
The students can see that I am putting energy into the slinky in two different ways. A quick push down the length of the stretched out slinky demonstrates a pressure wave and a quick flip of the wrist will send a shear wave down the slinky. This allows the students to answer questions about why P waves travel faster than S waves. Also, they can see why P waves can travel through a liquid while S waves cannot.
I first do the demonstration as described above then they break up into groups to experiment for themselves. I provide one slinky for every 4 students. We then talk about the liquid outer core of the Earth and how this would effect seismograph readings around the globe. Then I give a quiz to help them focus on what they have learned.
I first do the demonstration as described above then they break up into groups to experiment for themselves. I provide one slinky for every 4 students. We then talk about the liquid outer core of the Earth and how this would effect seismograph readings around the globe. Then I give a quiz to help them focus on what they have learned.
Determining whether students have met the goals
A short quiz asks the students to explain the differences between P and S waves, and their unique attributes.
More information about assessment tools and techniques.Teaching materials and tips
Share your modifications and improvements to this activity through the Community Contribution Tool »
Other Materials
- This activity has supplemental information submitted as part of the InTeGrate Teaching the Methods of Geoscience workshop in June 2012.
Looking for teaching materials?
Check our quick guide to Finding Earth Education Resources at SERC for some strategies that will help you make the most of the collections.