How to Build a Wind Meter
An anemometer, or wind meter, is used to measure wind speed. By calculating the number of rotations the device makes in one minute, you can get an approximation of wind speed. While multiple types of anemometers exist, the cup anemometer is an easily made device.
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Things You'll Need
- 4 paper drinking cups
- 4 plastic drinking straws
- tape
- straight pin or needle
- pencil with eraser
- stapler
Instructions
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Constructing an anemometer
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1
Lay two straws, side by side, on the work surface. Position two more straws, side by side, so their midpoint crosses the midpoint of the first two straws. The two sets of straws should be perpendicular. Tape the two sets of straws together where they cross. Place the taped straws so they point to 12, 3, 6 and 9 on an imaginary clock face.
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2
Place one of the cups on end of the set of straws pointing to 12 on that imaginary clock face. The cup should be laying on its side, so the open top faces either right or left. The straws should contact the cup just below the rim and be parallel to it.
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3
Staple right below the rim of the cup in a way so the staple is attached to both straws underneath the cup. Rotate the straws 90 degrees, so the attached cup is at the 9 on the imaginary clock face.
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4
Repeat Steps 2 and 3 until all four cups are securely attached to the straws. Each cup must have its top opening facing the same direction when that cup is positioned at the 12 on the imaginary clock face.
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5
Place a straight pin or needle through the taped center of the straws and into the eraser of the pencil.
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6
Label one cup, by coloring it with a marker. This becomes the cup you count when the anemometer spins.
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7
Stick the sharpened end of the pencil into the ground as the axis point and watch the anemometer rotate.
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