Trimester 1 WeatherChallenge

By: Pradnya Kadam, Anshi Arora, and Ayana Rahman

BarometerIt measures atmospheric pressure.Atmospheric Pressure: the force applied on you by the weight of air molecules. Air molecules are invisible. They still have weight and take up space. Since there is a lot of empty space between the air molecules, air can be compressed to fit into a smaller area.

When the air molecules are compressed, the air is said to be under “high pressure”.

High Pressure: weather will be warm.

Low Pressure: weather will be cloudy or rainy.

How Barometer Works: If there is low air pressure, the straw goes up. If there is high pressure, the straw goes down.

Hygrometer

It measures humidity.Humidity: the amount of water in the air.How Hygrometer Works: When there is humidity, the hair lengthens and the pointer goes down. As the humidity lessens, the hair contracts and the pointer goes up.

Thermometer

It measures temperature.Temperature: the amount of heat an object has.How Thermometer Works: In hotter temperatures, the liquid expands forcing the liquid to go up the straw. When it gets colder, the liquid contracts.

Rain Gauge It measures the amount of rain fallen.How It Works: Rain falls through the funnel into the bottle. Then, it can be measured.

Wind Vane

It measures wind direction.How It Works: The wind vane points in the way the wind is coming from. If the wind vane points north, the wind is going from north to south. This is called a north wind.

AnemometerIt measures wind speed.How to Use: Hold it vertically up in the air and count how many times it spins in a minute. Multiply the number of times it spun by its diameter and multiply that number by 0.003. This is the approximate wind speed in miles per hour.

Barometer: Low atmospheric pressure

Rain Gauge: 3 centimeters

Thermometer: 70 degrees Fahrenheit

Wind Vane: N/A

Hygrometer: About 60%

Anemometer: 10 mph

Averages

Challenges and SuccessesFirst, our thermometer was not working since we air-sealed it. Believe me it was annoying! We made about 5-6 drafts before it worked. It took hard work and a lot of patience. Finally after trying different strategies we tried the thermometer without being air sealed. It worked! Another challenge was the anemometer. It wouldn't spin. We fixed that by loosening the pin.