8th Grade Integrated Science
Standard III, Objective 4
Title: Comparing Earthquakes and Volcanoes
Description: Earthquakes and volcanoes transfer energy on Earth’s surface. In this activity students will use the Internet to discover what types of energy are involved and how they are transferred.
Time Needed: 50 minutes
Materials: computer lab (3 or fewer students per computer) access to printer, student sheet.
Background: Students should be familiar with the types of energy and energy transfer. A brief discussion to re-acquaint them with potential, kinetic, mechanical, chemical, heat, nuclear and electrical energy may be helpful. Also, a review of waves as carriers of energy may be necessary.
Procedures:
1. Hook activity. Begin by having students look at the following quick time graphics:
http://www.llnl.gov/hmc/Larsen/Hayward/
Allow students a few minutes to view the graphics. Ask them what they think the graphics show. Notice that there is a scroll bar at the bottom that allows you to replay or slow down the graphic.
2. Ask students to view:
http://www.sio.ucsd.edu/voyager/earth_puzzle/look_beneath.html
Have students begin the questions on the student sheet and complete the questions.
3. To the next internet site and complete the questions.
http://wwwneic.cr.usgs.gov/neis/bulletin/bulletin.html
4. Finish with the Venn Diagram.
Name______Per. ___ Date: ____ Integrated Science 8 Honors
Volcanoes, Earthquakes, and Energy Webquest.
Introduction: In this activity you will see resources that discuss volcanoes and earthquakes. You will make connections to identify how energy is transferred from Earth’s core to its crust.
Directions:
Part 1: Begin by reading the article on earthquakes. Then find this Internet site:
https://prezi.com/dmmd9rftgw_g/energy-transfer-and-earthquakes/ and answer the questions.
1. What causes earthquakes? How is energy involved?
2. How do earthquakes transfer energy?
3. What kind of energy is transferred by the earthquake?
Part 2. Read the article on volcanoes, then go to this internet site: https://prezi.com/s-ko7dht69al/volcanoes/
1. What is the source of energy for volcanoes, and how do they form?
2. What causes volcanoes to erupt?
3. What kinds of energy do volcanoes release?
Part 3:
1. Fill in the Venn Diagram using similarities and differences between earthquakes and volcanoes. You should have at least 3 in each part of the circle.
Conclusion: How does the core affect the crust? Explain how energy is transferred in detail.
What causes earthquakes and where do they happen?
The earth has four major layers: theinner core, outer core, mantleandcrust. (figure 2) The crust and the top of the mantle make up a thin skin on the surface of our planet. But this skin is not all in one piece – it is made up of many pieces like a puzzle covering the surface of the earth. (figure 3) Not only that, but these puzzle pieces keep slowly moving around, sliding past one another and bumping into each other. We call these puzzle piecestectonic plates, and the edges of the plates are called theplate boundaries. The plate boundaries are made up of many faults, and most of the earthquakes around the world occur on these faults. Since the edges of the plates are rough, they get stuck while the rest of the plate keeps moving. Finally, when the plate has moved far enough, the edges unstick on one of the faults and there is an earthquake.
Why does the earth shake when there is an earthquake?
While the edges of faults are stuck together, and the rest of the block is moving, the energy that would normally cause the blocks to slide past one another is being stored up. When the force of the moving blocks finally overcomes thefrictionof the jagged edges of the fault and it unsticks, all that stored up energy is released. The energy radiates outward from the fault in all directions in the form ofseismic waveslike ripples on a pond. The seismic waves shake the earth as they move through it, and when the waves reach the earth’s surface, they shake the ground and anything on it, like our houses and us! (see P&S Wave inset)
Energy Transfers in Volcanoes
Earth's core is estimated to be 5000°-7000° C. Heat energy from the core is transferred to the mantle, causing rock in the mantle to become less dense and rise. Some of the heat energy of the rock changes to mechanical energy as it rises towards the earth's crust. If there is enough pressure from heat and mechanical energy of the rising rock, it may be melted into magma and pushed through a volcano and out onto the surface of Earth. When volcanoes erupt some of the heat energy of the magma is converted to light energy and some of its mechanical energy is converted to sound energy. When lava comes in contact with Earth's surface, gravitational energy and mechanical energy continue to move it. Mechanical energy can also cause ash, rocks, and gases to shoot up into the air and enter the atmosphere. Some of the heat energy is transferred to nearby rocks, causing chemical changes. Some of the heat energy is transferred to nearby plants and animals causing death and fires