Material Detail

Shake Table

This activity guide includes instructions on how to build a "Shake Table" by mounting an eccentric mass (off center) on the shaft of a small dc motor. Learners use this table to simulate the shaking of an earthquake. Learners build structures with wooden blocks, pasta, or a variety of other simple materials and observe how the structures hold up on the Shake Table, including when they adjust the speed of the motor to find the resonant frequency...

Keywords:: Vibration, Seismograph, Motor, Problem Solving, Structural, Geology, NSDL, Liquefaction, Nature and Environment, Physics, Conducting Investigations, Chemistry, Earth Structure, Earth System Science, Resonance, Physical Science, Force, Geoscience, Mechanical Work, Model Building, Motion and Forces, Molecular Motion, Motors, Earth Processes, Engineering, General Science, Wave Motion, Vibrations, Technology, Electric Motors, Rocks and Minerals, Seismology, The Design Process, Earthquake, Earthquakes, Quicksand, Education, Vibration and Waves