Science Smarts: Wind warning

By Patty Rooks on December 24, 2022.

I had several interesting conversations this week about the BONE CHILLING weather we have been experiencing this past week. One would think that we would be used to a little cold snap as we get it every year… Nonetheless, I thought this would be a great learning opportunity to truly understand how temperatures are reported and does wind really play into the temperatures we experience when outside in these frigid temperatures. It can be confusing so let’s get started!

*Remember to ask an adult before doing this experiment.

Materials

– Fan

– Small thermometer

– Kettle

– Water

– Thermometer (digital are precise but not necessary)

– Table or sturdy work surface

– Science notebook and pencil

– Measuring cups

– 2 x 250 mL cups

– Stopwatch

– Measuring tape

Procedure

1. Check and record the inside temperature in your science notebook. NOTE: this is the temperature of the room you are working in (just like the ambient temperature if you were working outside).

2. Draw a chart in your notebook so you can keep track of the temperatures of each cup – NOTE: you will record the temperature at thirty second intervals for a total of five minutes.

3. Place one cup on the table AWAY from the fan. The other cup needs to be on the table NEAT the fan.

4. Place the fan near the table. Measure to make sure your fan is 50 cm away from the cups and that it will blow directly over top of the cup – BE CAREFUL as you do not want the cup to blow over.

5. Fill the kettle with water and plug in so it can boil.

6. Allow the water to boil for 30 seconds.

7. Once the kettle has boiled, use a measuring cup and measure 150 mL of boiling water and place in each cup. Note: you may want to have an adult help you here so you do not burn yourself.

8. Carefully set a thermometer in each cup.

9. Record the temperatures of the water in each cup in your science notebook.

10. Start the fan and then quickly, the stopwatch.

11. Record your temperature every 30 seconds in your chart for a total of five minutes.

12. Have someone help you record the temperature of the cup NOT in the wind as well as the same intervals.

13. What were your results.

14. Did your cup cool down faster when it was in the wind or not?

15. Does wind affect temperature?

What is going on?

The temperature of the air in winter is not always a reliable indicator of how cold you may feel when you go outdoors. Wind speed, relative humidity, and sunshine also have an affect on the temperature.

Often times on the news you will hear them talk of the temperature with the “wind chill”. It is a good idea to listen to this as the wind chill index is the temperature your body feels when the air temperature is combined with the wind speed.

The higher the wind speed the faster exposed areas of your body lose heat and the cooler you will feel. This is why the news will often tell you that “exposed skin” will freeze in just a few minutes if left uncovered when you go outside.

Be careful and listen to these warnings as frostbite is no joke!

Wind chill came into play in your experiment. The cup cooled off as the wind from the fan blew over top at a much faster rate than the one out of the “wind”.

Try this experiment to see if different cups can cool off at different rates. Are there better insulators than others? Hmm… this may make a great science fair experiment!

Do not forget that if you are looking for something to do over the break, it is never too early to get started on your science fair project. The virtual Science fair will be March 15, 2023 with the in person Regional Science Fair on April 1, 2023.

If you have any questions with regards to Science Fair, do not hesitate to call me anytime at Praxis.

Patty Rooks, Senior Scientific Consultant PRAXIS, “Connecting Science To The Community”. Contact Praxis at praxis@praxismh.ca, http://www.praxismh.ca, Tweet or follow us @PraxisMedHat, or friend us on Facebook. Address: #12 826 11 Street S. E., Medicine Hat, Alberta, T1A 1T7 Phone: 403.527.5365, email: praxis@praxismh.ca

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