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Air Pressure and Wind Utah Science Purpose Students will learn about air pressure and how it affects weather. Time: 30-45 minutes/activity; one activity per day for one week Level: Elementary Materials Activity 1 Transparency H, “The Effect of Air Pressure on the Weather” King-sized mattress sheet Paper Scissors Activity 2 1-liter bottle of quinine or tonic water (unopened, room temperature) Transparency 1, “Mercury Barometer” Activity 3 9-oz. clean plastic drinking cups Plastic drinking straws Tape Scissors Water Transparency J, “Cape Cod Weatherglass Barometer” Worksheet 15, “Make a Weatherglass Barometer” Empty 1-liter plastic soft-drink bottle Measuring cup Permanent marker Barometer Activity 4 Transparency K, “Aneroid Barometer” Transparency L, “Weather Maps: How to Read a Weather Map” Worksheet 16, “How Heavy Is the Air Today?” Barometer (aneiroid/dry) Continued on page 2 Utah Agriculture in the Classroom Background The buoyant force acting against our bodies while submerged in an ocean of air keeps us from feeling its push. At sea level, this overlying air mass exerts a pressure of 15 pounds per square inch. As air becomes pressurized, it flows inward, building a mountain of air. Eventually the winds filling this mountain of air die down, clouds are pushed out or evaporate away, bringing clear skies. At this point, experts consider this a zone of high pressure. Rising atmospheric pressure can be caused by two factors, dry, dense (heavy) cold air building up in regions over the artic and moving southward, or warm moist (highly pressurized) air building up in warmer locations and moving northward. Both of these conditions give rise to clear skies, gentle breezes, and fair weather. As the center slows its rise, it exerts an outward pressure and begins moving great seas of cold High Wind Direction or warm air Wind Direction away from the regions where Low it formed. The movement 30.23 30.36 30.63 30.24 30.12 30.00 29.88 29.77 29.65 29.53 29.41 9.41 29.43 29.65 29.77 29.88 of these air Chicago, Illinois Tulsa, Oklahoma masses flow in the direction of least resistance, or lower pressure, bringing a change in wind direction, wind speed, temperature, clouds, and precipitation. In the United States, atmospheric pressure is measured in inches of mercury using a device called a barometer. The term inches of mercury comes from the linear change in column of mercury which is measured in inches. This discovery was made in 1634 by a man named Evangelista Torricelli, an assistant to Galileo. Torricelli discovered that as pressure from the atmosphere pushed down on a dish of mercury, a corresponding column of mercury contained in glass and standing in the dish began to rise. Similarly, as the atmospheric pressure decreased, the corresponding column of mercury fell. A ruler attached to the column noted the rise and fall of the mercury in inches, up to a maximum of 32 inches. Since a 32-inch column of mercury is bulky, aneroid barometers (meaning dry) were eventually created. These instruments utilize a flexible bellows that’s been tightly sealed after having the air removed. Increased outside air pressure squeezes the flexible metal; decreased pressure allows it to expand. It is then attached to a pointer to indicate changes in pressure on a dial. During the 1800’s, the Cape Cod High Low Pressure Weatherglass became Low pressure Line outside lets higher America’s contribution pressure inside force out water to observing changes in pressure. This object is a glass container that holds water. Contact with the outside air is shut off by Colored Water means of a gooseneck of glass containing water How the Cape Cod Glass Works www.agclassroom.org/ut 1 Worksheet 17, “Make a Wind Vane” Bendable plastic drinking straw 3” square piece of paper 4” X 8” piece of cardboard One ten-penny nail (about 3” long) Scissors Tape Glue stick Compass Optional Worksheet 18, “Beaufort Wind Scale” Worksheet 19, “Wind Chill” “Air Pressure Review Test” Utah Agriculture in the Classroom in contact with the outside air. The battle of pressure differences between the outside air and the inside air causes the water to rise or lower, just like the mercury. Today, varying zones of pressure occurring across the Unites States are measured in millibars. [See map.] These The thin lines on the map are millibars which millibar readings are indicate the various zones of pressure across the standardized by the United States. National Weather Service to “sea-level” values and plotted on surface maps. Because of this, the reading on your barometer may be less than the National Weather Service’s reading for our location. As changes in barometric pressure give way to changes in wind direction and speed, so too can one expect changes in the weather. Early American settlers used wind vanes (or wind-fanes) to foretell weather to come. The word vane comes from the Anglo-Saxon word fane (pronounced “vane” as in “windvane”), meaning flag. Early weathervanes were often strips of cloth that wavered from a pole. Since the pioneer farmer knew the direction of east, west, north and south, there were no markers beneath the vane; this came later as a reminder for the less informed. Farmers were especially interested in changes in wind direction, for the way the wind changed was often as important as the way it was blowing at the moment, that is, whether it has been backing to the left or veering to the right as you face the wind. The old saying goes: “A veering wind will clear the sky. A backing wind says storms are nigh.” Another weathervane saying goes: “Winds that swing against the sun, And winds that bring the rain are one. Winds that swing round with the sun, Keep the rain storm on the run.” This means that a wind that veers in the direction of the sun’s movement (from eat to west) brings clearing; wind that backs against the sun’s movement brings storms. Since then, weather vanes have evolved into metal creatures standing atop arrows that point in the direction of the wind. Beneath the arrow are letters for north, south, east, and west. At airports, one can find wind-socks which tell pilots the direction of winds at the surface of the airfield. In addition to wind-vanes, an instrument called an anemometer is used to measure wind speed. Meteorologists use wind speed to calculate a temperature known as wind chill. Because evaporation is a cooling process, our skin is sensitive to moisture evaporating from it. In colder temperatures with high winds, the chill of moisture leaving our skin is compounded by the chill of the air molecules reaching our skin. In weather forecasts, wind speed is usually reported in miles per hour, or for ships and aircraft, knots. One knot is equal to 1.15 m.p.h. In 1806, the Beaufort wind scale was devised by Sir Francis Beaufort. It originally described the type and amount of sail a ship should use in a particular wind. Today, the scale describes the effects seen on land and relates these to wind speeds. 2 www.agclassroom.org/ut Did you know? A barometer on an airplane is called an altimeter. Its measurement of atmospheric pressure tells the pilot how high the plane is traveling; the higher up one flies, the lower the atmospheric pressure. Jet planes typically add pressure and oxygen to the passenger cabin to compensate for lower oxygen and pressure levels at higher altitudes. Looking South e E a st we s t hange and Sun Direc tion ind C . .. ...W Wind becoming Wind becoming easterly brings westerly brings POOR WEATHER FINE WEATHER W A ve sky. A ba ering wind will clear the igh. cking w n ind says storms are Talk About the Topic Review with the group how the buoyant force of air acting against their bodies is in constant change. Taking a large piece of cardboard or an electric fan, begin moving the air so the group can feel it. Describe to the group how you are making wind by causing the air to move. We can feel pressure from this moving air as it touches our bodies. See if the group can guess which two conditions are responsible for creating wind in real life. Explain that as air becomes cold and dense, it begins to move pressing its way into areas of lighter, warmer air. This typically happens in the winter when large masses of cold dry air begin to form from the lack of direct sunlight. When these dense air masses come in contact with warmer, less dense air, movement occurs. Likewise, as moist air begins to warm and expand from more direct sunlight, it presses its way into areas of cooler denser air. You can demonstrate this by blowing up a balloon then releasing it. As the air inside the balloon equalizes itself with the air around it, movement occurs. Activity Procedures Activity 1 1. After discussing the background material, use Transparency H, “The Effect of Air Pressure on the Weather,” to show students how pressurized air flows inward, building a mountain of air. Eventually the winds filling this mountain of air die down, and clouds are pushed away, bringing clear skies. At this point, this is considered to be a zone of high pressure. As the center slows it rise, it exerts an outward pressure on the air around it, moving great seas of dense cold air or warm moist air away from the region where it was formed. The movement of these air masses flows in the direction of least resistance, or lower pressure, bringing a change in wind direction, wind speed, temperature, precipitation, and clouds. 2. Have two people stand in the middle of the group, each person holding one end of a sheet from a king-sized mattress. Around these two people, have the rest of the group lie on their stomachs facing inward. 3. Explain that the sheet represents the formation of pressurized air. With the sheet laying flat on the ground, this represents air at rest. 4. Now have the two members slowly raise the sheet allowing it to rise above their head creating a domed shape. Explain this is what happens when air pressurizes from warm moist conditions or cold dry conditions. 5. Quickly, the domed sheet begins to deflate. Point out how his represents a region of pressurized air on the move. Utah Agriculture in the Classroom 3 www.agclassroom.org/ut 6. Repeat the process, but his time, have the group members feel the difference between the movement of air inflating and deflating the sheet. Explain that pressurizing air is typically associated with gentler breezes and fair weather. Likewise, explain that a depressurizing air is associated with strong winds and stormy weather. 7. Extend this activity by replacing the members with a town of paper buildings. These buildings can be created using sheets of paper, tape, and marking pens. See how well the town holds up to changes in pressure. Use this opportunity to show how rapid changes in pressure, as in the case of hurricanes, tornadoes, and thunder storms, can cause large amounts of wind damage. Don’t be surprised if someone in the group figures out that taping the building to the floor guards against high wind damage. 8. Ask the following questions: 1. Why do stronger winds and storms typically occur in the fall and spring? (Seasonal changes in light intensity bring about changes in temperature and moisture.) 2.Where would wind intensity be the greatest? (Close to where the zone of low pressure exists.) 3. What would contribute to higher winds? (Extreme pressure differences quickly coming in close contact – tornadoes, hurricanes, thunderstorms.) Activity 2 1. Remind them that in an earlier lesson they learned how stratus and cumulus clouds form during conditions of high moisture and low temperature (a.k.a. dew point). Similarly, changes in atmospheric pressure can form similar clouds. As moist air builds up and pressurizes, it begins to warm, providing little chance for the molecules to condense into cloud vapor. This can be evidenced by having them blow into their cupped hands. Explain that as they pressurize the air in their hands, it begins to warm; hence the reason why we do this to warm our hands in cold weather. The opposite is true as air depressurizes; air cools down and molecules condense. This can be evidenced by the fact that when we are faced with drinking a beverage that is too hot, we often blow on it to cool it down. This also explains why we appear to exhale steam when the air is cold. The warm, moist, pressurized air leaving our bodies cools as it comes in contact with the cooler, lower pressure air outside our bodies. This change in temperature and pressure causes the moisture to slow down and condense. 2. U sing an unopened/room temperature one-liter bottle of clear quinine or tonic water, pour out a portion of the contents until it is level with the top of the bottle’s label. (Quinine Water contains particles which improve condensation.) Explain to the group that the air space in the bottle represents a low-pressure atmosphere. 3. P lacing the palm of one hand over the mouth of the bottle, begin to shake it. Be sure to keep your hand tightly sealed over the top of the bottle. Explain how the environment inside the bottle now represents a highpressure atmosphere. 4. N ow release your hand from the bottle to demonstrate what happens when air loses pressure. As you release your hand, pressure quickly equalizes with the outside air and a swirl of vapor rises from the bottle. Explain how swirling masses of clouds often form when air depressurizes. 5. A sk, How does a fan cool our bodies? (By allowing air to depressurize and cool; also air movement promotes evaporation which is a cooling process.) Utah Agriculture in the Classroom 4 www.agclassroom.org/ut 6. Can the students think of some other examples where vapor is formed from changing pressure. (Old Faithful Geyser, air escaping from a dryer vent in winter, a car warming up on a cold winter morning.) 7. Explain that changes in atmospheric pressure are measured using an instrument called a barometer. In the United States, barometers measure pressure in inches of mercury. The term inches comes from the linear change in a column of mercury which is measured in inches. This discovery was made in 1634 by a man named Evangelista Torricelli, an assistant to Galileo. Using Transparency I, “Mercury Barometer,” show them how Torricelli discovered that pressure from the atmosphere pushing down on a dish of mercury caused a corresponding column of mercury contained in glass and standing in the dish to rise. Similarly, as the atmospheric pressure decreased, the corresponding column of mercury fell. A ruler attached to the column noted the rise and fall of the mercury in inches, up to a maximum of 32 inches. Activity 3, deals with this concept. Activity 3 1. Distribute a 9-oz. clear plastic cup and two clear plastic drinking straws to each group member. 2. H ave them cut a 4” piece of straw and tape it to the inside of the cup [Figure 1]. 3. Fill the cup half way with water. 4. R emind them that air is pushing down on the water in their cup and in their straw. However, the water level in the straw can be raised by blowing (diverting) the pressurized air away from the straw. 5. U sing the uncut straw, have them blow across the top of the 4” piece of straw [Figure 2]. As they blow away the air, pressure from the atmosphere pushing on the water in the cup pushes the water up the straw, just like Torricelli’s barometer. 6. A sk the students if the result would be the same at an altitude of 8,000 feet? (Yes; there is less pressure so you would have to blow less.) 7. E xplain to the group that this principle was applied to the invention of the Cape Cod Weatherglass in the early 1800s. Project Transparency J, “Cape Cod Weatherglass.” This object is a glass container that holds water. Contact with the outside air is shut off by means of a gooseneck of glass containing water in contact with the outside air. The battle of pressure differences between the outside air and the inside air causes the water to rise or lower, just like the mercury. Using Worksheet 15, “Make a Weatherglass Barometer,” have them construct their own Cape Cod Weatherglass. Activity 3 1. Explain that since the mercury barometer and the Cape Cod Weatherglass both had their disadvantages, aneroid barometers (meaning dry) were eventually created. (Project Transparency K, “Aneroid Barometer.”) Point out how these instruments utilize a flexible bellows that’s been tightly sealed after having the air removed. Increased outside air pressure squeezes the flexible metal; decreased pressure allows it to expand. Using Transparency K, explain how the markings on the liquid barometer are the same as on the dry barometer. Both measure in inches of mercury and in millibars. Note that in the United States, barometric pressure is recorded in millibars but reported in inches of mercury, hence the two reading. The National Weather Service maintains more than a hundred weather monitoring sites across the county. These sites record hourly changes in the weather, including barometric pressure. Utah Agriculture in the Classroom 5 www.agclassroom.org/ut 2. Distribute Copies of Worksheet 16, “How Heavy Is the Air Today?,” for students to complete. Point out how the barometer’s markings associate clear skies and fair weather with high pressure, and stormy weather with cloudy skies and low pressure. Show them how to read the barometer, then take time to have them complete the worksheet. 3. E xplain that varying zones of pressure occur across the United States and are measured hourly by stations maintained by the National Weather Service. These readings are then standardized to “sea-level” values and plotted on maps. Remember, pressure naturally varies with altitude, which must be factored out of the reading. Because of this, the reading on your barometer may be less than the National Weather Service’s reading for your location. Show Transparency L, “Weather Maps: How to Read a Weather Map,” to aid in the discussion. 4. E xplain that as changes in barometric pressure give way to changes in wind direction and speed, so too can one expect changes in the weather. Early American settlers used wind vanes (or wind-fanes) to foretell weather to come. The word vane comes from the Anglo-Saxton word fane, meaning flag. Early weathervanes were often strips of cloth that waved from a pole. Farmers were especially interested in changes in wind direction, for the way the wind changed was often as important as the way it was blowing at the moment, that is, whether it has been backing to the left or veering to the right as you face the wind. The old saying goes: “A veering wind will clear the sky. A backing wind says storms are nigh.” Another weathervane saying goes: “Winds that swing against the sun, And winds that bring the rain are one. Winds that swing around with the sun, Keep the rain storm on the run.” This means that a wind that veers in the direction of the sun’s movement (from east to west) brings clearing; wind that backs against the sun’s movement brings storms. 5. Distribute copies of Worksheet 17, “Make a Wind Vane.” From the worksheet description, have group members build their own wind vane. Additional Activities Assign the following worksheets as homework: Worksheet 18, “Beafort wind scale” and Worksheet 19, “Wind Chill.” Test students’ comprehension with “Air Pressure Review Test.” Utah Agriculture in the Classroom 6 www.agclassroom.org/ut 30.23 30.63 30.24 Tulsa, Oklahoma 30.36 Wind Direction High 30.12 30.00 29.88 29.77 29.41 29.43 29.65 29.77 29.88 Chicago, Illinois 29.65 29.53 29.41 Low Wind Direction Transparency H The Effect of Air Pressure on the Weather Transparency I Mercury Barometer Inches of Mercury 32.78 Vacuum 32.48 32.19 Mercury Column 31.89 31.60 Glass Tube 31.30 31.00 30.71 30.42 30.12 29.82 29.53 28.94 28.64 28.35 28.05 27.76 Air Pressure 29.24 27.46 27.17 26.87 26.58 26.28 25.99 Mercury in Dish Mercury Barometer - The height of the mercury column is a mesasure of atmospheric pressure. Colored Water High Low Low pressure outside lets higher pressure inside force out water How the Cape Cod Glass Works Pressure Line Transparency J Cope Cod Weatherglass Name Worksheet 15 Make a Weatherglass Barometer Materials plastic cup • 9-oz. clear s drinking straw • two plastic k bottle -liter soft-drin 1 ic st la p ty p • em cup • measuring • scissors marker • permanent • tape Purpose To show how pressure can be measured Procedure 1. Cut the two straws in half and tape as shown in Figure 1. Be sure the straws touch the bottom of the cup. 2. Place 1/3 cup of water in the 9-oz. cup. 3. Place 1/2 cup of water in the one liter bottle. 4. Quickly invert the bottle while inserting it into the cup as shown. 5. The bottle should stand erect while resting between the straws. 6. On the outside of the bottle carefully mark the water level. Be sure to make a thin line so you can see any slight change in the rise or fall. Activity Complete the following chart using your barometer. Rise or Fall Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 Day 5 Sky Condition Conclusions by Day 5 Transparency K Aneroid Barometer Inc h 29.00 3 29.83 30.1 2 es of Mer F DRY 29 .2 3 .5 29 ry cu STO HA IN C NGE R AI .42 30.71 30 RM Y RA Level System Aneroid Cell Atmospheric Pressure in Inches of Mercury and in Millibars. Inches of Millibars Mercury (mb) 32.78 32.48 32.19 31.89 31.60 31.30 31.00 30.71 30.42 30.12 29.82 29.53 29.24 28.94 28.64 28.35 28.05 27.76 27.46 27.17 26.87 26.58 26.28 25.99 25.69 25.40 25.10 1110 1100 1090 1080 1070 1060 1050 1040 1030 1020 1010 1000 990 980 970 960 950 940 930 920 910 900 890 880 870 860 850 1,084 mb (32.01 in.) Highest recorded sea-level pressure: Agate, Siberia (December 1968) 1,064 mb (31.42 in.) Highest recorded sea-level pressure in the United States: Miles City, Montana (December 1983) Strong High Pressure System 1,013.25 mb (29.92 in.) Average sea-level pressure Deep Low Pressure System 888 mb (26.22 in.) Hurricane Gilbert (September 1988) 870 mb (25.70 in.) Lowest recorded sea-level pressure: Typhoon Tip (October 1979) Transparency L Weather Maps: How to Read a Weather Map Map 1 Transparency L Map 2 Name Worksheet 16 How Heavy Is the Air Today? A. What barometer readings do the arrows show? 26 27 RA IN S 2. 29.80 3. 30.10 4. 30.40 29 30 VE R YD CHANGE 31 1. 29.40 5. IR FA 4. RA IN RY B. Draw arrows on this barometer (and number them) to show the following readings: 3. Y RM O T 28 VE R YD Y RM O T 28 31 (1) (5) 2. S (4) 1. 27 (3) 26 (2) 30 IR FA 29 RY CHANGE Name Worksheet 17 Make a Wind Vane Materials straw lastic drinking p le b a d n e b •1 of paper • 30” square of cardboard • 4" x 8" piece y nail • 1 ten-penn • scissors • tape • glue stick • compass Purpose To Determine the wind's direction Procedure 1. Cut out the template from page two of this worksheet and glue it to your cardboard. The saying on the template came from early American folklore about wind and weather. 2. Insert a ten-penny nail through the center of the cardboard (where the rooster is on the template) so the tip is pointing up. 3. Take your plastic drinking straw and bend it in an "L" shape. Slip the slant end of the "L" over the nail so that the straw swings freely. 4. Cut out the 3-inch square pattern on the second page of this worksheet and fold along the dotted lines into a triangle. 5. Tape it to the end of the drinking straw as shown in the illustration so that it points in the direction of the wind. 6. Orient yourself and your wind vane to north using your compass. Activity Direction wind is from Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 Day 5 Sky Condition Conclusions by Day 5 E Wind becoming easterly brings POOR WEATHER st ea 4" x 8" template hange and Sun Directio A ve sky. A ba ering wind will clear the igh. cking w ind says storms are n ind C W . .. Looking South n... Wind becoming westerly brings FINE WEATHER we st W Worksheet 17 continued 3" square template Name Worksheet 18 Beaufort Wind Scale Estimating Wind Speed Observe the wind's effects at the same time of day for a week. Use the scale to estimate the wind speed. Record the information. Observation Smoke goes straight up Smoke moves, but the wind vane does not Leaves rustle, wind vane moves, wind felt on face Leaves and small twigs move, light flag extends Dust raised, dead leaves and loose paperblow about, small branches move Small trees sway, small waves crest on lakes or streams Large branches sway, umbrellas difficult to use Large trees sway, walking against wind is difficult Twigs break off trees, walking against wind is very difficult Branches break off trees, loose bricks blown off chimneys, shingles blown off roof Trees snap or are uprooted, considerable damage to buildings is possible Widespread damage Violent destruction Observation Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 Day 5 Name of Wind Miles Per Hour Calm Light air Light breeze Gentle breeze Moderate breeze less than 1 1-3 4-7 8-12 13-18 Fresh breeze 19-24 Strong breeze Moderate gale Fresh gale 25-31 32-38 39-46 Strong gale 47-54 Whole gale 55-63 Storm Hurricane 64-73 74 and above Name of Wind Miles Per Hour Name Worksheet 19 Wind Chill Wind chill is the combined effect on the human body of air temperature and wind speed. Wind chill temperatures can give a better idea of how cold it feels than a thermometer reading alone. Use the chart to answer questions. Air temperature (F) Wind speed in miles per hour 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 27 26 50 50 48 Equivalent wind chill temperature (F) (Pre-2000 Table) 40 36 32 30 28 40 40 37 28 22 18 16 13 11 10 30 30 27 16 9 4 0 -2 -4 -6 20 20 16 4 -5 -10 -15 -18 -20 -21 10 10 6 -9 -18 -25 -29 -33 -35 -37 0 0 -5 -21 -36 -39 -44 -48 -49 -53 -10 -10 -15 -33 -45 -53 -59 -63 -67 -69 -20 -20 -26 -46 -58 -67 -74 -79 -82 -85 -30 -30 -36 -58 -72 -82 -88 -94 -98 -100 -40 -40 -47 -70 -85 -96 -104 -109 -113 -116 A. How cold does it feel when the wind speed is 35 mph and the temperature is 40oF? o F B. How cold does it feel when the wind is 25 mph and the temperature is 20oF? oF C. What are the air temperature and wind speed when the wind chill temperature is -116oF?oF D. What are the air temperature and wind speed when the o wind chill temperature is -9oF? F E. How cold does it feel when the wind speed is 30 mph o and the temperature is 50oF? F F. Currently, what is the air temperature? o wind speed? F o wind chill? F o F Name Week 4 Air Pressure Review Test 1. Draw a line between each air pressure level and the kind of weather that is likely to follow. 29.98 and falling slowly Fair 30.06 and rising slowly Possible rain 29.80 and falling rapidly Rain 2. Which of the following readings is average sea-level pressure? A. 27.25 B. 29.92 C. 31.18 3. Give the air pressure reading shown by the arrow on the barometer. inches B. inches CHANGE C. inches C. VE R YD 27 RA IN 30 31 Y RM O T 28 A. B. IR FA 29 26 A. RY S Name Week 4 Air Pressure Review Test 4. Label points A, B, and C on the air pressure graph shown here using one of the following: Change Rain Clearing 30.10 Barometer Readings 30.00 29.90 29.80 29.70 Time Date 9 11 1 3 5 7 9 11 1 3 5 7 9 11 1 3 5 7 9 11 1 3 5 7 9 11 1 3 (7:30) A.M. Jan. 3 Jan. 4 Jan. 5 Jan. 6