Anemometer

Meteorology is the scientific field dedicated to atmospheric forecasting, and one crucial aspect involves calculating wind speed. An anemometer is an instrument for measuring wind speed and plays a role in calculating wind pressure. Understanding wind patterns is important for meteorologists, making the anemometer an essential tool in weather forecasting.

Weather stations use anemometers to measure wind speed, providing valuable insights into changes in weather patterns. This information proves particularly significant in predicting events like hurricanes, storms, and tornadoes. The data gathered by anemometers is essential for meteorologists, engineers, pilots, and climatologists.

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What is an Anemometer?

An anemometer is designed to measure the wind’s speed and direction. Commonly found in weather stations, it is a crucial instrument for meteorologists. The term “anemometer” originates from the Greek word ‘anemos,’ meaning wind.

The Anometer plays a vital role in meteorology, serving as a wind speed measurement tool. Additionally, it has significance in studying wind pressure, contributing to a comprehensive understanding of weather patterns. Physicists also find anemometers valuable in their investigations into the movement of air.

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In day-to-day life, anemometers have various applications. They are indispensable for weather forecasting, aiding meteorologists in predicting and understanding changes in weather patterns. This includes early indications of events like hurricanes, storms, and tornadoes. The information gathered by anemometers proves valuable for meteorologists and professionals such as engineers, pilots, and climatologists. This article will systematically explore and discuss the multifaceted uses of anemometers.

How to make an Anemometer?

An anemometer is made by assembling basic materials. Depending upon different situations, measurements, and situations, there are various types of anemometers. An anemometer uses ultrasonic and laser techniques to get accurate wind measurements.

In the class 5 experiment, an anemometer is prepared with disposable cups. It is known as the Robinson Anemometer. Disposable cups are used to catch the wind that induces spin. For calculating the wind speed, the number of spins has to be measured in a given time interval. It shows how fast the wind is moving.

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Materials Required

• 5 small paper cups
• Empty plastic bottle
• 3 thin wooden dowels
• Scissors
• Hole punch
• Duct tape
• Stopwatch

Procedure

• Take four paper cups and make a hole on the side using the hole punch.
• Last cup will be the center. The four holes made should be evenly spaced around the rim of the last cup.
• In the other cup holes, insert the other end of the wooden dowels. Just make sure that the cups are facing in the same direction.
• Attach the last wooden dowel to the bottom of the center cup.
• Put the center dowel into an empty plastic bottle.

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Observation

The cup anemometer in this experiment will not display the wind speed, but it can give an idea of how fast the wind is blowing. The speed of the wind using this anemometer can be recorded by measuring revolutions per minute. An anemometer of higher capacity is used in weather forecasting. It measures the wind speed by kilometres per hour.

A record of wind by revolution per minute can be kept, and the average wind speed can be calculated in a week. Check the wind speed at different times of the day. Check the speed in the morning, afternoon, evening, and at night.

Types of Anemometer

The classification of an anemometer is done on the basis of the measurement of the velocity of wind and the measurement of the pressure of the wind. There are five types of anemometer. These are:

Cup Anemometer: This anemometer consists of four hemispherical cups. These cups are mounted on one end of the horizontal arms at equal angles on a vertical shaft. The cups are positioned in a way that the air passes through them in the horizontal direction. It makes the cups rotate such that it is proportional to the speed of the wind. The average speed of the wind is found by calculating the turns of the cups over a period of time. Cup Anemometer is used by researchers, meteorologists, and educational institutions for research and commercial activities.

Hot Wire Anemometer: This anemometer consists of thin wire. This wire is heated up to a certain temperature slightly more than the atmospheric temperature. Air flows past the wire, and the wire cools. For calculating velocity, it is important to obtain the relation between the resistance of the wire and the velocity of the wind. Most of the metal’s resistance depends on the temperature of the metal. Hotwire Anemometer is used in HVAC (heating, ventilating, and air conditioning) businesses. This measures airflow through the building ducts.

Windmill Anemometer: It is a device which is similar to the regular windmill. It is used to calculate the velocity of the wind. The axis of rotation is running parallel to the direction of the wind. It also consists of aerovane. Aerovane helps the axis change the direction.

Laser Doppler Anemometer: In Laser Doppler Anemometer, a beam of light is split into two beams. The velocity is calculated by the amount of light reflected off by the moving air particles when one of the two beams is made to enter the anemometer. These anemometers are used in high-tech jet engines and river hydrology.

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Sonic Anemometer: In this anemometer, sound waves are used to obtain the speed of the wind. These waves pass through the transducer. Sonic anemometers are used in aircraft and scientific wind turbines.

Most handheld anemometers are waterproof. Some can float also. It allows the users to access a variety of wind speed measurement units. Digital handheld anemometers have wind meters. It can be connected to smartphones through Bluetooth.

Uses of Anemometer

Anemometer has major applications in weather stations, ship navigation, aviation, weather buoys, and also in wind turbines.

Some other applications are as follows:

• For measuring wind pressure.
• For measuring the flow of the wind.
• For measuring the direction of the wind.
• An anemometer is used by drone users to check the weather conditions before testing the device.
• Long-range shooters and pilots also use these.
• Anemometers are also used by skydivers for evaluating wind velocity before leaping into the abyss.
• For measuring air speed in aerodynamics.

Anemometer: FAQs

Define Anemometer.

An instrument used to measure the speed of the wind is an Anemometer.

Name the types of anemometer.

Cup Anemometer
Hot Wire Anemometer
Windmill Anemometer
Laser Doppler Anemometer
Sonic Anemometer

Name the scientist who first explained the term Anemometer.

In 1450, Leon Battista Alberti first explained the term Anemometer.