ShareRocks & Minerals - Transferring Energy
On the previous Sci-ber text page, you learned that earthquakes and volcanoes transfer energy from inside Earth to the surface. Now we need to consider how this energy is transferred from the interior of Earth to the surface. Earth's interior has a great amount of heat energy.
During
a volcano eruption, the heat energy is transfered through lava to
the surface of Earth. The magma may come up to the surface as magma
bringing heat energy to the surface. The volcanoes which erupt on
the island of Hawaii are an example of this transfer of heat energy.
Notice the lava is very hot as it comes onto the surface. In a short
time, the lava begins to cool. As the heat escapes, the lava hardens
to dark black rock.
Magma
which becomes trapped below the surface can build up pressure that
must be released as mechanical energy. An example of this release
of mechanical energy was the eruption of Mt. Saint Helens in Washington
State. As the heat energy in the lava built up below the surface of
the mountain, it caused a large pressure to develop. As this pressure
released, it blew off the top of the mountain.
The transfer of earthquake energy happens in the form of waves. These waves can happen in a couple of different ways. You can demonstrate the transfer of energy through waves.
Materials:
- Slinky®
- Two people
Procedure:
- Hold the Slinky® as level as possible.
- Have one person gently shake the Slinky® up and down.
- Observe how the energy moves from the person doing the shaking to the other person who is holding onto the Slinky®.
- Observe a video of this type of a wave.
- Now hold the Slinky® level on the floor.
- One person swings the Slinky® gently from side to side.
- Observe how the energy moves from the person swinging the Slinky® to the person who is just holding the Slinky®.
- Observe a video of this type of a wave.
- Again hold the Slinky® level on the floor.
- One person pulls back about ten Slinky® rings toward them.
- While holding onto the very end of the Slinky®, let go of the Slinky® rings.
- Observe how the energy moves from the person pulling and letting go of ten Slinky® rings to the person who is just holding the Slinky®.
- Observe a video of this type of a wave.
Safety concerns: As with all science lab activities, the most important safety rule is to follow all teacher directions.
Analysis:
- In what ways is the transfer of energy similar for volcanoes and earthquakes?
- How would you describe the three types of earthquake waves?
- Which type of earthquake wave seems to have the greatest ability to cause problems on Earth's surface?
