How does anemometer measure wind speed

Arrange four 4 plastic drinking straws to form a cross and tape them together at the center. Staple the top side of one drinking cup, such as the small paper cups designed for bathroom dispensers, to the end of each straw, so the open ends of the cups all face the same direction.

Push a straight pin through the center of the straws into an eraser on the end of a pencil. This provides the axle. Mark one of the cups; this will be the one they use for counting when the anemometer spins. NOTE: When using this anemometer, 10 turns per minute means the wind speed is about one mile per hour.

If possible, it would very useful to use a commercial anemometer to determine an approximate determination. For example, "when our anemometer read 20 spins a minute, the commercial anemometer read 2 miles per hour. As well as meteorologists, lots of other people are interested in how fast the wind is blowing, ranging from sportsmen such as parachutists and sailors, to those concerned with hazardous winds, such as air traffic controllers and crane operators.

But how do we measure its speed? A device for measuring wind speed is known as an anemometer, and there are lots of different types. The type used on weather stations, and hand-held versions, uses three cups on a spindle — the wind force on the open side of the cup is greater than that on the rounded side, and this makes the cups rotate. They rotate faster in stronger winds, and an electronic counter is used to convert this rotation into wind speed. A rather cheaper type is the propeller anemometer, but to get an accurate measure of speed it has to be kept facing into the wind — whose direction changes from one moment to the next, so this can sometimes be tricky.

The History of Wind Vanes. How to Calculate a Wind Chill Factor. The Average Daily Wind Speed. First-Grade Lesson on the Wind. Does Wind Affect a Thermometer? Different Types of Anemometers. The Effects of Wind Chills. How to Convert Wind Speed to Force. How to Read a Digital Barometer. Instruments Used to Determine Wind Direction. Science Activities on Air for Preschool Ages. How to Calculate Steam Velocity. Initiate a discussion on the different things wind speed affects helps or hurts in the world.

Discuss the importance of making accurate measurements in predicting weather. Discuss the fact that the wind in the upper atmosphere moves at a different speed than the wind on the surface of the earth. Discuss some of the factors that might affect the speed of the wind. Details on all these subjects can be found by entering key words on google.

Toggle navigation. Home » Make Your Own Anemometer. Without a complicated calibration of the instrument t hey build, they will not be able to accurately convert their measurements to miles per hour. We recommend wooden rulers because they are a good size, they have a hold in the center, and they are inexpensive.