Interactive Primary Newsletter 36 Sun and Wind (Renewable Energy Special)

Strength of the wind or windspeed Challenge your children to investigate how the windsock behaves as the wind strength changes. Get them to devise ways of recording the height reached by the windsock or the angle the string makes with the fixed position. The strength of the wind is measured by the weather forecasters on a measurement called the Beaufort Scale. This was devised by Admiral Sir Francis Beaufort (1774-1857) who developed the scale in 1805 to help sailors estimate the wind strength by making simple observations. The scale goes from Force 0 (a calm day) through Force 6 (strong breeze) and right up to Force 12 (hurricane). Each level on the scale remarks on everyday observations e.g. of trees, branches, twigs and leaves. A separate set observations at sea determine the Beaufort scale for sailors. Figure 6 - A stormy sea state - probably Force 9 or 10 off the west coast of the Orkney Mainland School wind turbines