A wind gauge, referred to as an anemometer, collects wind and gives a reading for wind speed. Today, anemometers are built with many moving parts and can be very expensive. However, a wind gauge can be a fun construction project to help children become more involved with science and nature and can give you a simple yet effective instrument to tell wind speed. You may even have the supplies that you need right at home.
- Skill level:
- Moderate
Instructions
Things you need
- 1/16-inch Nail
- Drill with 1/16-inch bit
- Hammer
- Hacksaw
- 1/2-inch diameter PVC pipe
- Super glue
- 2-by-4
- Shovel
- Concrete mix
- Graphite
- 4 plastic cups (3 red, 1 different color)
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1
Cut two 1/2-inch diameter PVC pipes to a length of 1-foot each using a saw.
-
2
Cut a groove into the center of one pipe to fit the concave slope of the other pipe. Place super glue on the cut groove and lay the cut pipe onto the other pipe--at the center--to form a cross. Hold in place to ensure that the glue sets for a minute.
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3
Glue a plastic cup onto each end of the cross with all cup openings facing the same direction. Use 3 red cups and one different colored cup. The odd colored cup will be used to count revolutions.
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4
Place a 5-foot long 2-by-4 in the area of your yard that receives the most wind. Dig a one foot hole then set the board in the hole with concrete.
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5
Drill a 1/16 inch hole through the center of the cross, then nail the cross onto the top of the 2-by-4 though the hole. Don't hammer the nail too far in or the anemometer won't spin. Squirt graphite lubricant in hole, around the nail, to aid the spin.
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6
Designate one side of the 2-by-4 the wind marker and draw an arrow on the board pointing up. Make the arrow the same color as the odd colored cup.
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7
Count how many revolutions the odd colored cup makes in one minute. According to Energy Quest.gov, 100 revolutions per minute will indicate a 10 mile per hour wind.
