[irised] Inquiry

[John Lahr]

The AS-1 seismograph stations provide an exciting way to study the 
Earth via earthquakes.  I've been trying to think of some other uses 
that these instruments could be put to that involve inquiry.

Here are a few:
    * What is the best location in the room for the AS-1 seismograph? 
This would involve figuring out a way to quantify "best," perhaps in 
terms of the background noise.   What is the effect of being near a 
window (sun light on the spring), near a heat vent (convection within 
the case), or near a doorway?
    * Is there a relationship between the background noise level and 
the weather?  The noise level and storms at sea? This would involve 
finding a way to characterize the noise; finding the frequency 
characteristics of the noise; characterizing the weather; tracking 
storms; and then checking for correlation.
    * If there are periodic times with high noise, what is the 
source?  Is it due to ground vibration or could it be due to 
electromagnetic interaction with the AS-1 electronics?  One means of 
testing involves clamping the magnet so that it can't move. If the 
noise persists, then it must not be due to ground vibrations causing 
the magnet to move. Is it due to some machinery in the 
building?  Heating or air conditioning equipment?  A radio 
transmitter?  Does it continue at night?  On the weekend?
    * How dose the amplitude of a vibration decrease with 
distance?  One could drop a padded weight on the floor at different 
distances and compare the response of the system. How does this 
compare with what might be expected? Will it depend on the 
construction of the building and the type of floor? How would it 
change if done outside, where the energy can radiate down as well as 
out, rather than being limited to the floor, which is effectively 2-D?
Can you think of any others?

Let me know if you've tried any of these and what the results were.

Happy New Year!
John