What Is A Wind Vane?
A wind vane, also called a weather vane, is a tool that shows which direction the wind is blowing from.
- A wind vane has an arrow or a pointer that can spin freely.
- When the wind blows, it pushes against one side of the arrow, making it turn.
- The arrow always points into the wind, showing which way it’s coming from.
- By looking at the wind vane, we can tell how the wind blows.
It helps people understand and predict the weather.
Homemade Wind Vane
Materials Needed:
- A pencil with an eraser
- A drinking straw
- A straight pin
- Cardstock or thick paper
- Scissors
- Glue or tape
- A small cup
- Clay or putty
- A compass (for finding north)
Steps To Make A Wind Vane:
- Prepare Arrow and Base:
- Cut out an arrow and a tail from the paper and attach them to the straw. Fill the cup with clay and insert the pencil eraser side down into the clay.
- Assemble the Wind Vane:
- Push the pin through the middle of the straw and into the pencil eraser, allowing the straw to spin freely.
- Find North:
- Use a compass to find north and align your wind vane to point north.
- Test The Wind Vane:
- Place the wind vane outside where it can catch the wind and observe how it moves to show wind direction.
Fun Facts
Here are some interesting facts about wind waves:
- The first wind vane was recorded in 48 BC by Greek astronomer Andronicus.
- Wind vanes were initially designed for use on boats to help sailors navigate.
- Wind vanes help to determine the best locations for wind turbines to harness the power of the wind.
- The world’s largest wind vane is located in Montague, Michigan, USA. Known as the “Montague Windmill,” it is 48 feet tall and has a 26-foot arrow.
Review
Let’s quickly recap what we learned about wind vanes:
- What part of a wind vane spins freely? Arrow
- What causes the pointer in the wind vane to turn? Wind’s Force
- Which direction does the arrow point to in a wind vane? Direction the wind is blowing from
- Who mainly relied on wind vanes in ancient times? Sailors & Farmers
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