Q&A for How to Make an Anemometer

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  • Question
    What do I need to make the anemometer?
    Community Answer
    5 plastic cups, 2 straws, a nail, a hole punch, and a stapler.
  • Question
    What is the difference between a weather vane and an anemometer?
    Community Answer
    A weather vane shows the direction of the wind while anemometer shows the speed of the wind.
  • Question
    How do I measure the wind speed? Isn't that the whole point of the project?
    Community Answer
    To measure the wind speed, count the number of spins the anemometer makes in one second with the help of a stopwatch. Every spin it makes is one mile per hour (mph).
  • Question
    What does the article mean by intersecting straws?
    Community Answer
    You put the straws through the cups and then have them come out of the other side of the cup.
  • Question
    What can I use instead of a pencil?
    Community Answer
    Disposal chopsticks would work as a great replacement to a pencil.
  • Question
    How do I get the correct four marks on the plastic cups?
    Community Answer
    Use a knife to make the holes and measure the distance from the rim with a ruler.
  • Question
    Does the size of the cup matter?
    Community Answer
    No. All the cups have to be the same size, but they could be small or big, it doesn't matter.
  • Question
    How do I punch 1/2 in the bottom of the hole?
    Community Answer
    Poke it with a small screwdriver and then cut it with scissors.
  • Question
    Can I replace the cups with anything else?
    Community Answer
    Cut ping pong balls in half. In some cases, this proves to be more effective. Also, you can use makeshift cones. The wind is only trapped on one side and passes over the other side.
  • Question
    How can I let the anemometer stand on its own?
    Community Answer
    Put your anemometer in soft ground and then put wood around it so the wind does not blow it away.
  • Question
    Can I use anything beside straws when making an anemometer?
    Community Answer
    You could use cardboard strips to replace the straw, but the cardboard has to be strong and able to hold up two cups.
  • Question
    Do I need to use a single hole punch when making an anemometer?
    Community Answer
    No. You can use a knife or a pen. Just be careful with the knife.
  • Question
    How long does it take to make an anemometer?
    Community Answer
    10 to 15 minutes at the most.
  • Question
    If I have no straws or chopsticks in the anemometer, will it still work?
    Community Answer
    No, it won't work, but if you're saying that you don't have a pencil or chopstick, just use something that resembles a stick.
  • Question
    How do I punch a hole in the bottom of the cup if I don't have a small screwdriver or scissors?
    Community Answer
    You can try to use a pencil and poke a hole on the bottom. This might take a few tries and a lot of broken pencil tips, but it should work. You can also use a pen to poke a hole.
  • Question
    Will my anemometer withstand harsh weather?
    Community Answer
    No. You can test with the fan or light wind to get a better result. A hurricane or tornado will break it, and lightning will destroy it if it's the tallest object.
  • Question
    What if I don't have a hole puncher?
    Community Answer
    You can use a knife or a cutter or a blade, if you don't have a puncher. In fact, even I didn't have a hole puncher, but I made a rough cut, and made it a hole using a pair of scissors.
  • Question
    Can I use chopsticks instead of straws?
    Community Answer
    No. You can not us chopsticks because a push pin will not go through them. Use plastic or paper drinking straws.
  • Question
    Spins per second, so you mean minute?
    Sai Charith Pallavajula Satya
    Community Answer
    If it spins half a circle in a second, then it is 0.5 mph.
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