Science Project on “Predicting the Weather”, Project Experiment Topics on Environmental Science for Class 8, 9, 10 and 12 Students.

Predicting the Weather

Materials Required:

1. A long thin strip of cloth
2. A 4-feet wooden stake
3. Hammer
4. Magnetic compass
5. A thumbtack
6. Bright colored yarn
7. Four ice cream sticks
8. Outside area
9. Paper and Pencil

A barometer is an instrument used for measuring atmospheric pressure, especially in weather forecasting. In general, when the needles of a barometer fall due to a drop in pressure, it indicates bad weather and when there is a rise in the barometer, it indicates good weather.

Let us assume that the direction of the wind can also be used to indicate fair or stormy weather. Keeping this in mind, we carry the task. In an open area in your yard or anywhere else, hammer the wooden stake into the soil, until it is stable. Using the magnetic compass, mark the four directions-N, S, E and W on the four ice cream sticks and drill them into the ground, about three feet from the stake, in all four directions. Wind the yarn around the stake and across the ice cream stick in the North. Do the same for the remaining three directions. This will help you in seeing the direction of the wind from a stretch.

Study which direction, the wind blows the cloth every morning and evening. Make a note of the directions, on calm as well as windy days. Is your hypothesis correct?

You can use a ribbon to measure the speed of the wind. With a scale reading the wind speed, place a ribbon on the stick. When the ribbon is lifted further away from the stick, it indicates stronger wind force.

WINDS

Air which is constantly moving around the Earth is called ‘Wind’. Wind movement is influenced by the Sun’s rays and the Earth’s rotation. Air which is heated by the Sun’s rays becomes lighter and rises upwards thus creating a low pressure area. This area is filled by cold air which is heavier. The cold air is again heated and rises while the warm air becomes cold as it moves upwards. This sets in motion the cycle of wind.

Most of the air gets heated at the Equator and after rising it creates a calm zone called the `Doldrums’. At higher altitudes this air cools down and moves downwards about 20° north and south of the equator, at areas which are known as ‘Horse latitudes’, and flows back towards the equator as North Eastern and South Eastern Trade winds. Similarly air is also heated around the Horse Latitudes. These winds flow northward and southward and are called ‘Westerlies’.