Seismic Waves & Earth's Interior_Lesson Check

What is a sensitive instrument that detect vibrations caused by seismic waves and measures the horizontal or vertical motion during an earthquake.

• Hygrometer

• Barometer

• Seismometer

• Anatometer

Which statement best describes how a classic seismometer records motion?

• The frame moves while a suspended mass stays nearly still

• The mass moves, but the anchored frame remains still

• Both the frame and mass move together in phase

• Neither the frame nor the mass moves during shaking

What is the record produced by a seismometer that provides individual tracking of each type of seismic waves?

• Siesmogram

• Siesmometer

• Hygrometor

• Cladogram

How does the separation between P‑and S‑wave arrivals on a seismogram change with increasing distance from the epicenter?

• Separation decreases for distant stations

• Separation fluctuates randomly with distance

• Separation increases as stations are farther away

• Separation stays constant at all distances

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS4-2

Which statement best explains how scientists study Earth’s interior using earthquakes?

• They analyze seismic waves traveling through Earth

• They watch tides changing in the oceans

• They dig tunnels deep into the mantle

• They compare volcano shapes around the world

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS1-5

What typically happens to seismic waves at boundaries between different materials inside Earth?

• They bounce straight back unchanged

• They speed up but never bend

• They stop and disappear forever

• They change speed and direction

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS4-2

As P-waves and S-waves move through the mantle their paths are usually

• fairly direct with gentle bends

• strongly curved with tight loops

• random and completely scattered

• blocked and totally reflected

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS4-2

NGSS.MS-PS4-1

When P-waves reach the core, they are refracted, which means they _________.

• break apart

• speed up

• stop

• bend

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS4-2

Which evidence supports that Earth has a liquid outer core?

• S-waves do not pass through it

• P-waves move infinitely fast there

• Volcanoes erupt only above it

• Tides increase when it is deeper

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS4-2

Which pair correctly describes Earth’s core layers inferred from seismic data?

• Outer core is liquid; inner core is solid

• Outer core is solid; inner core is gas

• Both outer and inner cores are liquid

• Both outer and inner cores are solid

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS2-3