Which of the following was a Chinese invention used to measure earthquakes?

Which of the following was a Chinese invention used to measure earthquakes?

• A. Seismograph
• B. Compass
• C. Tea
• D. Paper

Answer: (A)

This question hinges on recognizing early tools for detecting earthquakes. The instrument that fits is the seismograph, an innovation credited to Zhang Heng in ancient China. His seismograph used a sophisticated hanging mechanism inside a large bronze vessel with eight dragon heads and toads. When the ground shook, a ball dropped from the dragon into the mouth of the corresponding toad, pointing to the direction of the earthquake. This allowed observers far from the epicenter to sense seismic activity and locate where it originated. The compass is about determining direction for navigation, not earthquakes. Tea is simply a beverage, and paper, while useful for recording later data, is not an instrument for measuring earthquakes by itself.

This question hinges on recognizing early tools for detecting earthquakes. The instrument that fits is the seismograph, an innovation credited to Zhang Heng in ancient China. His seismograph used a sophisticated hanging mechanism inside a large bronze vessel with eight dragon heads and toads. When the ground shook, a ball dropped from the dragon into the mouth of the corresponding toad, pointing to the direction of the earthquake. This allowed observers far from the epicenter to sense seismic activity and locate where it originated. The compass is about determining direction for navigation, not earthquakes. Tea is simply a beverage, and paper, while useful for recording later data, is not an instrument for measuring earthquakes by itself.