Simple Science Activities

Simple science activities using rice

Simple science activities showing how earthquake waves travel

These simple science activities demonstrate how earthquake waves can travel through a variety of different materials after an earthquake. All earthquakes produce P waves and S waves. P waves are compression waves and travel through solids, liquids and gases. S waves are transverse waves and travel only through solids.

Simple science activities, Earthquake Waves, Photo by Myrna Martin

Materials

  • Metal pan
  • Construction paper
  • Rice
  • Spoon

Directions

  1. Place a metal pan on a table so that the bottom of the pan is facing upward.
  2. Place a large piece of paper on top of the pan.
  3. Sprinkle rice on top of the paper.
  4. Strike the pan with the spoon.
  5. Observe what happens to the rice on top of the paper.
  6. The earthquake waves (seismic waves) are caused by the spoon striking the pan. The waves travel through the pan to the paper and then the rice.
  7. What do you think will happen if you try this experiment with large beans? Try it!
  8. What would happen if you floated paper in the pan filled with water and did the experiment? Try it!

More Links to Science Activities

Nature Mobile - Elementary Science  Activities Go for a nature walk to gather materials to create your very own unique nature mobile.

Marshmallow Crystals - Geology Activities Learn the difference between glassy, microscopic crystals and large crystals in this fun and good to eat science project.

Water Tower - Water cycle activity This activity demonstrates how water towers work using recycled materials.

Cookie Dig - Fun Science Activities See how much money you can make digging for "ore" in this fun activity.

Pizza of the Earth - Earth Science Activities Learn the major areas inside the Earth while having a pizza for dinner in this good to eat science activity.

Earthquake Waves - Simple Science Activities Earthquake waves cause rice to shake rattle and roll in this science activity.

Science Activities Fun and easy activities that demonstrating science concepts can be found on this page

Home Page  The Science Site contains information on our planet, volcanoes, science projects, earthquakes and much more.

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