Geosphere: Ocean Floor Mapping

Students use sound waves to simulate the same echolocation that scientist used to map the ocean floor.

Lab Summary:

In this exploration, students create several features of an "ocean floor" using books and other classroom objects, then they echolocate the heights to produce a profile of the ocean floor.

Students will hold a motion sensor above the arrangement as they walk slowly past their ocean floor model. The resulting graph will portray a profile of the features on the floor. As a result, students will be able to draw several parallels between the operation of the motion sensor and the concepts of sonar, radar, and echo sounding, among others.

Students will study some features about the ocean floor that have already been discovered and mapped to determine how they may have formed and what we know about them today.

Download free labs:

(student versions)

Computer-based lab (PDF, 512 KB)

Xplorer GLX-based lab (PDF, 64 KB)

Method:

Use a Motion Sensor to investigate the concept of ocean floor mapping.

Here's What You Need:

Required for computer-based lab:

(See lab download for Xplorer GLX-based lab requirements, which may differ)

Probeware

• PASPORT Motion Sensor (PS-2103A)
• Xplorer GLX Graphing Datalogger (PS-2002)
  (or alternate PASPORT interface -- see other options)

Other Materials

• Objects of varying heights (stacks of books, etc.)

Lab Manual:

The computer-based activity is included in Explorations in Earth and Environmental Science (PS-2809). The Xplorer GLX-based lab is included in Earth and Environmental Science with the Xplorer GLX (PS-2821A). Both manuals are complete with Teacher Information pages, student instructions and handouts, and sample data.

For your convenience, we offer bundles which provide the probeware for the activities in the manual. For more, please see:
Computer-based Earth and Environmental Science Lab Manual and Bundles
Xplorer GLX-based Earth and Environmental Science Lab Manual and Bundles