Observations and results
Were you able to see wind make the cups on the anemometer spin around? Did the faster winds make the anemometer cups spin faster compared with the slower winds?
Because air is made up of tiny molecules, when wind hits something it is all of these molecules that are hitting the object. This is why when we feel wind we are really feeling these molecules hitting us. A faster wind hits us harder, and also moves the cups on the anemometer more, compared with a slower wind because the faster wind is moving the molecules at a faster speed. Consequently, in the same amount of time, a faster wind hits an object with more molecules than a slower wind does.
If you have been to the beach or near a large body of water, you may have noticed it is often windy. This is because there are different air pressures where a lot of water meets the land. Water takes more time to change its temperature compared with land, so during the day the land heats up faster, and once the sun goes down the land cools faster. Consequently, during the day there is wind blowing from the ocean to the land, or from an area of higher air pressure (colder air) to lower pressure (warmer air); in the evening the wind blows from the cold land to the warmer ocean.
More to explore
"Climate Change May Mean Slower Winds" from Scientific American
Web Weather for Kids from The University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR)
"Measuring Wind Speed" from Thirteen/WNET, Educational Broadcasting Corporation, New York
"Wind" from Weatherwizkids.com
Feel the Wind by Arthur Dorros
"How Does a Wind Meter Work?" from Science Buddies
This activity brought to you in partnership with Science Buddies and Cyberchase
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4 Comments
Add Comment"Have you ever wondered how wind is made?"
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisUh, in the wind factory? What is this, grade school?
Have you ever wondered how wind is made? Wind is caused by a difference in air pressure.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisOk ok but why does the wind in my gut have a higher pressure than outside my gut AND how does it get there in the first place -- that's why the fan is optional I guess -- I'm going to have my kids measuring wind speed this weekend --- 'cos my wife is away!!!
Wind isn't made in a wind factory, that's just silly. Wind is made on wind FARMS, as is clear if you've ever seen the miles and miles of huge propellers on wind farms (they are also obviously what makes the earth turn).
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisLike this one Doc?
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thishttp://www.wmta.us/wind.htm