How to Build a Wind Speed Calculator

Wind speed calculators are called anemometers.

A wind speed calculator is known as an anemometer. This type of device can be built from many types of materials to determine wind speed. A simple homemade anemometer can be built by using a few school supplies. You can then use the anemometer to see how wind affects the object that is used for the measurement to determine the speed of the wind.

Things You'll Need

• 12-by-12 inch piece of cardboard
• Large protractor
• Glue
• 16-inch piece string
• Masking tape
• Power drill
• Ping-pong ball

Instructions

1. Add a small amount of glue to the back of a large protractor and place it in the center of a piece of cardboard.

2. Place a 16-inch piece of string over the 90-degree angle on the protractor. Leave 2 inches of string above the protractor. Place a piece of masking tape over the string to secure it to the cardboard.

3. Drill a small hole through the center of a ping pong ball with the power drill.

4. Insert the string through the hole in the ping pong ball and tie a knot at the end. Place a small piece of masking tape over the string to secure it to the ping pong ball.

5. Hold the anemometer so that it is parallel to the wind. Read the angle of the string on the protractor. Make a note of the angle of the string on a piece of paper.

6. Compare the angle from Step 5 to the table available from the Measuring Vegetation Health website.

Tips & Warnings

• Wait for the glue to dry before using the anemometer.

• If the anemometer is not set parallel to the wind, the reading will not be accurate.

References

• Henaud Developments: Make a Protractor Anemometer
• Measuring Vegetation Health: Making an Anemometer (PDF)