Science Buddies: "Ask an Expert"

I find the diagram given without detailed instructions on the "building a sesismograph" to be inadequate.
How is the stand affixed to the base?
How is the beam attached to the stand?
How does this allow independent movement of the beam?
What is the relationship between the stand/base and guy wires?


You've given steps for modification before even making it clear how to build the unmodified version. The UC directions uses "rod" and "pole" in its directions. Which is which?

I'm in to this project financially now so there's no turning back. Unfortunately. there's no way to go forward either.

Thanks,
Tim

Hi Tim - I'm sorry to hear you have run into some problems and potentially some ambiguity in the directions for this project. I hope our experts are able to help sort out the issues so that you and your student can move forward with building the seismograph.

I'm posting the link to the project that I think you're working on so that the Experts can easily look over the information.

Is There a Whole Lot of Shaking Going On? Make Your Own Seismograph and Find Out!
https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science- ... p017.shtml


Amy
Science Buddies

Dear Tim,

I've taken a look at the project, and the UC page. I will do my best to help you out!

First of all, on the UC page, it seems to me that the word "rod" refers to the "dowel," and that the word "pole" refers to the "beam." In other words, based on the terminology of the Science Buddies diagram, you have a dowel sticking out of the stand, and the beam has a cavity for that dowel, so you can stick the dowel into the beam. The beam would be suspended on the dowel, and able to rotate around it. Does that make sense? That's how it seems to me, based on the diagrams and explanations.

The reason that the explanations and the diagram are not totally complete is because this Project Idea is intended to be an Engineering Project, rather than a Science Project--in other words, the point is that the student develops a design on his/her own, then tests is and improves it as necessary. This is why steps for modification are provided--to guide this process.

For more information about engineering projects, and how they differ from science projects, visit this page: https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science- ... ring.shtml

So, basically, the point is to use the diagrams and suggestions as guides to engineer a seismograph.

Did you find this information helpful? I hope so--if not, please let me know.