Lesson Plans Provided by Steam'n | Print

Wind Wonderopolis

Wind is the movement of air caused by the uneven heating of the Earth by the sun. It does not have much substance—you cannot see it or hold it—but you can feel its force. It can dry your clothes in summer and chill you to the bone in winter. It is strong enough to carry sailing ships across the ocean and rip huge trees from the ground. It is the great equalizer of the atmosphere, transporting heat, moisture, pollutants, and dust great distances around the globe. Landforms, processes, and impacts of wind are called Aeolian landforms, processes, and impacts.

1) In this section students make a simple instrument to measure the speed of the wind.

2) Use the instrument to record the wind speed over a number of days.

3) Construct a simple weather vane to measure wind direction.

4) Use the weather vane to record the wind direction over a number of days.

5) Investigate how the wind can be put to work.

6) Construct a simple machine that is powered by the wind.

1) Pencil or pen

2) Copies of the activity sheets (see the link below)

3) Experiment materials as stated on activity pages

Measuring the Wind 1
The pressure of the air on the earth's surface is different in different places. The differences in pressure causes the movement of air or winds. If a pressure difference exists, air moves from the higher pressure to the lower pressure area, in order to even out the pressure. If the high pressure center is close to a low pressure center, the movement from the high pressure to the low pressure is faster and the winds will move faster. The larger the pressure difference, the stronger the winds are. Instruments such as anemometers or wind gauges are used to measure the speed and strength of the wind.

Measuring the Wind 2
The direction of the wind is determined by the direction the wind is coming from and not the direction it is blowing to. Instruments such as weather vanes and windsocks can measure the direction of the wind.

Wind Power
Using the wind for power is a good idea because it does not cause pollution. In places that are very windy, wind farms are set up where a field full of windmills turn machinery that generates electricity.