Report Copyright Infringement View in OSM UK

Description

A wind sock’s a very simple tool that shows the direction and (relative) speed of the wind. Make one using items found at home.

Found at https://www.scouts.org.uk/activities/it-s-a-breeze/

Resources

One bamboo cane for each group/scout
A cardboard tube for each group/scout
Some coloured paper, glue stick
Coloured pens and pencils
String
Scissors

Instructions

What's a Wind Sock
------------------------
A wind sock’s a very simple tool that shows the direction and (relative) speed of the wind.
You often see wind socks in action at airports because they’re a quick and easy way for pilots to check the wind and how it’ll affect their take off and landing.
If the wind’s too strong, or if it’s blowing across the runway, the pilot might not be able to take off. If the wind’s blowing towards the plane, it’ll help the wings create lift and the plane will take off more quickly. When pilots land into the wind, the plane slows down more quickly.
Wind socks only show relative speed – you might be able to tell if it’s windier than yesterday, but you won’t be able to get an exact measurement.
More complex instruments can give the exact speed of the wind – you may have seen an anemometer (the long word for a device that measures wind speed and direction) that uses small cups, fans, or even sound waves.
Anemometers are trickier to build because they need to be calibrated – set up so they measure correctly.
-------------------------
Cut the coloured paper into strips.
Glue one end of a strip and stick it to the end of the tube. Attach more strips, until there are strips the whole way around the edge of the tube (around the circumference).
If you want to, now’s the time to decorate the tube. You may want to add a team name or shapes cut from paper, but it’s not essential.
Cut a hole about one centimetre from the other end of the tube (the end without paper strips attached). Cut another hole opposite it.
Tie a short piece of string between the two holes so it goes through the middle of the tube.
Cut a piece of string to about 45cm long. Tie one end to the middle of the piece of string in the middle of the tube.
Tie the other end of the long piece of string to the top of the bamboo cane.
Push the bottom of the bamboo cane into the ground so it stands up. If you can’t do this, attach it to something heavy, for example, a full water bottle or a tin can filled with sand.
See how well the windsock works. Does it show direction and (relative) strength of the wind?

Tags

• Meteorologist
• wind direction
• wind speed

Badge Links

• Meteorologist - Measuring