Evidence of the Composition of the Earth
http://www.classzone.com/books/earth_science/terc/content/investigations/es0402/es0402page03.cfm
Name________________________________________________ Period__________
Step 3 - This simulation shows P waves and S waves moving along Earth’s surface away
from an earthquake.
1. What types of material do P waves pass through?
2. What types of material do S waves pass through?
3. Which type of wave moves faster?
Step 4 –
4. Based on the pattern of the P waves and S waves, what type of material is this planet
made of?
Step 5 –
5. Observe the path taken by P waves and S waves in the model planet. Sketch the layers
below and indicate if they are solid or liquid.
6. Why do the P waves slow down in the center of the model?
7. Why do the S waves disappear in the center of the model?
Step 6 –
8. Observe the path taken by P and S waves in the model planet. Sketch the layers on your
diagram and indicate if they are solid or liquid.
9. Why are there only P waves in this model and no S waves?
10. Why do the P waves speed up in the center of the model?
Step 7 –
11. What happens to the size of the shadow zone as the diameter of the liquid core
increases?
Step 8
12. Observe the paths taken by P and S waves through Earth. Sketch the layers on your
diagram and indicate if they are solid or liquid.
Model of the Earth
Step 9
13. Where are the cool and the hot regions of the mantle located?
Step 11 - Modeling the Mantle
14. What is a mantel plume and what have they formed?
Evidence of the Composition of the Earth
http://www.classzone.com/books/earth_science/terc/content/investigations/es0402/es0402page03.cfm
Name________________________________________________ Period__________
Step 3 - This simulation shows P waves and S waves moving along Earth’s surface away
from an earthquake.
1. What types of material do P waves pass through? Through land and water
2. What types of material do S waves pass through? Through Land
3. Which type of wave moves faster? P waves
Step 4 –
4. Based on the pattern of the P waves and S waves, what type of material is this planet
made of? This Planet is made of a solid material
Step 5 –
5. Observe the path taken by P waves and S waves in the model planet. Sketch the layers
below and indicate if they are solid or liquid.
6. Why do the P waves slow down in the center of the model? There must be a liquid
7. Why do the S waves disappear in the center of the model? There must be a liquid
Step 6 –
8. Observe the path taken by P and S waves in the model planet. Sketch the layers on your
diagram and indicate if they are solid or liquid.
9. Why are there only P waves in this model and no S waves? S waves can’t travel in liquid
10. Why do the P waves speed up in the center of the model? Solid center
Step 7 –
11. What happens to the size of the shadow zone as the diameter of the liquid core
increases? The size of the shadow zone increases
Step 8
12. Observe the paths taken by P and S waves through Earth. Sketch the layers on your
diagram and indicate if they are solid or liquid.
Model of the Earth
Step 9
13. Where are the cool and the hot regions of the mantle located?
Step 11 - Modeling the Mantle
14. What is a mantel plume and what have they formed?