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Science lesson plan · 10th grade (Year 11 in England) · 30 minutes

Seismic waves as evidence for Earth's layers

Earth and rocks

CCSS NGSS.HS-ESS2-3CCSS NGSS.SEP 7England: GCSE Physics: Waves (seismic waves, Physics only)

Objective and success criteria

Students will: Seismic waves as evidence for Earth's layers.

  • I can answer questions on today's skill on my own, without help.
  • I can explain each step and say why it works.
  • I can check my answer and spot a mistake.

Before and after

Needs first: The structure of the Earth; Transverse and longitudinal waves

Leads to: the next skill in this area.

Materials: Rock samples, Hand lenses, Mini whiteboards, A diagram or short video clip of the idea, Printed student sheet (below).

Warm-up · 4 min

  • Quick retrieval from earlier learning (The structure of the Earth; Transverse and longitudinal waves). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
  • Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.
  1. Is this a transverse or a longitudinal wave: seismic P waves? (transverse / longitudinal) → longitudinalPrompt: Compare the direction of vibration with the direction the wave travels.
  2. Which is the thinnest layer of the Earth? (the crust / the outer core / the inner core / the mantle) → the crustPrompt: It is like the skin on an apple.
  3. How do scientists know about the inside of the Earth? (By visiting the core / By drilling to the centre / By studying how earthquake waves travel through it / By looking at the Moon) → By studying how earthquake waves travel through itPrompt: The deepest hole ever drilled is only about 12 km deep.

Hook · 3 min

  • Pass round different rocks and ask how each one might have formed.
  • Share the objective: Seismic waves as evidence for Earth's layers. Read the success criteria together.

I do: model it · 7 min

  • Work through the example out loud, saying why you do each step, not just what you do.
  • Example: At a seismometer, the S waves arrive 15 s after the P waves. Assume P waves travel at 8 km/s and S waves at 4 km/s. How far away was the earthquake, in km?
  • Step 1: 1/4 − 1/8 = 1/8 s per km
  • Step 2: 15 ÷ (1/8) = 120
  • Step 3: So the answer is: 120 km
  • Answer: 120 km
  • Pause after each step and ask a student to say what comes next.

We do: guided practice · 6 min

  • Do these together. Students try each step on whiteboards before you reveal it.
  • Use the hints as prompts rather than giving the answer.
  1. At a seismometer, the S waves arrive 10 s after the P waves. Assume P waves travel at 8 km/s and S waves at 4 km/s. How far away was the earthquake, in km? → 80 kmPrompt: Each kilometre takes 1/4 s for S waves and 1/8 s for P waves.
  2. Why do seismic waves travel in curved paths through the mantle? (They bounce off the surface / The Moon pulls them / Their speed changes gradually with depth, so they refract / Earth's gravity bends them) → Their speed changes gradually with depth, so they refractPrompt: Waves change direction when their speed changes.

You do: independent practice · 7 min

  • Students work on the student sheet. Circulate and check the first two answers of every student early.
  • Students who finish: write a question of their own for a partner, with the answer.

The 6 questions are on the student sheet below, with answers in the key.

Exit ticket · 3 min

  • Two questions on their own. Sort answers into got it / nearly / not yet to plan the next lesson.
  1. At a seismometer, the S waves arrive 10 s after the P waves. Assume P waves travel at 8 km/s and S waves at 4 km/s. How far away was the earthquake, in km? → 80 kmPrompt: Each kilometre takes 1/4 s for S waves and 1/8 s for P waves.
  2. Inside the Earth: which statement is NOT true? (Scientists have drilled through the crust into the mantle to see the core. / Earth's inner core is solid and the outer core is liquid. / S waves can only travel through solids. / P waves can travel through solids and liquids.) → Scientists have drilled through the crust into the mantle to see the core.Prompt: How deep is the deepest hole ever drilled?

Watch out for

  • Everyday meanings of words getting in the way of the science meaning: define key words explicitly.
  • Remembering facts without the reason: ask "why?" and "what is the evidence?"

Support and stretch

Support

  • Review first: The structure of the Earth.
  • Use concrete materials: rock samples.
  • Give the first step of each question, or a partly worked example to finish.
  • Pair with a confident partner for the guided practice.

Stretch

  • Explain a common mistake in writing and how to fix it.
  • Write a word problem that uses today's skill, then solve a partner's.

Homework and more practice

Free online practice with hints and printable worksheets for this skill: eurekami.com/science/grade-10.

Free lesson plan from eurekami.com/lesson-plan-builder

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Seismic waves as evidence for Earth's layers

Name

Date

Score/ 6

  1. Question 1

    S waves are not detected on the opposite side of Earth from an earthquake. What does this show?

    • A. Part of the core is liquid, because S waves cannot travel through liquids
    • B. S waves are faster than P waves
    • C. The core is hollow
    • D. The crust is liquid

  2. Question 2

    At a seismometer, the S waves arrive 60 s after the P waves. Assume P waves travel at 8 km/s and S waves at 4 km/s. How far away was the earthquake, in km?

    Answerkm

  3. Question 3

    Inside the Earth: which statement is NOT true?

    • A. P waves can travel through solids and liquids.
    • B. Scientists have drilled through the crust into the mantle to see the core.
    • C. Earth's inner core is solid and the outer core is liquid.
    • D. S waves can only travel through solids.

  4. Question 4

    Which seismic waves arrive first at a seismometer?

    • A. P waves (primary, longitudinal)
    • B. S waves (secondary, transverse)
    • C. all arrive together
    • D. surface waves

  5. Question 5

    At a seismometer, the S waves arrive 20 s after the P waves. Assume P waves travel at 8 km/s and S waves at 4 km/s. How far away was the earthquake, in km?

    Answerkm

  6. Question 6

    At a seismometer, the S waves arrive 45 s after the P waves. Assume P waves travel at 8 km/s and S waves at 4 km/s. How far away was the earthquake, in km?

    Answerkm

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Answer key: Seismic waves as evidence for Earth's layers

  1. 1. A. Part of the core is liquid, because S waves cannot travel through liquids

  2. 2. 480 km

  3. 3. B. Scientists have drilled through the crust into the mantle to see the core.

  4. 4. A. P waves (primary, longitudinal)

  5. 5. 160 km

  6. 6. 360 km