Wind strength: measurement and use

Wind as a phenomenon of nature is known to everyone from early childhood. He pleases with a fresh breath in the hot day, chases the ships on the sea, and maybe bends trees, and breaks the roofs on the houses. The main characteristics that determine the wind, are its speed and direction.

What is the wind?

From a scientific point of view, the wind is the movement of air masses in the horizontal plane. Such a motion arises because there is a difference in atmospheric pressure and heat between two points. Air moves from areas of high pressure to areas where the pressure level is lower. The result is a wind.

Wind characteristics

In order to characterize the wind, two main parameters are used: direction and speed (force). The direction is determined by the side of the horizon with which it is blowing. It can be indicated in rhombs, in accordance with the 16-point scale. According to her, the wind can be north, southeast, north-north-west and so on. The wind direction can also be measured in degrees, relative to the meridian line. On this scale, the north is defined as 0 or 360 degrees, the east is 90 degrees, the west is 270 degrees, and the south is 180 degrees. In turn, the wind speed is measured in meters per second or in knots. The site is approximately 0.5 kilometers per hour. Wind strength is also measured in points, according to the Beaufort scale.

The Beaufort scale, according to which the force of the wind is determined

This scale was introduced in 1805. And in 1963, the World Meteorological Association adopted a gradation, which continues to this day. In its framework, 0 points corresponds to a calm, in which the smoke will rise vertically upward, and the leaves in the trees remain stationary. The wind strength of 4 points corresponds to a moderate wind, at which small waves form on the surface of the water, thin branches and leaves on trees may wobble. 9 points correspond to the storm wind, in which even large trees can be bent, tiles can be torn from roofs, high waves can rise on the sea. And the maximum wind force in accordance with this scale, namely - 12 points, falls on a hurricane. This is a phenomenon of nature, in which the wind causes serious sanctions, even the capital buildings can be collapsed.

Use of wind power

The strength of the wind is widely used in the energy sector as one of the replenished natural sources. From time immemorial, humanity has used this resource. Suffice it to recall the windmills or sailing ships. Wind turbines, by means of which the force of wind pressure is converted for further use, are widely used in places where constant strong winds are characteristic. Of the various applications of such phenomena as wind power, it is worth mentioning also the wind tunnel.

The wind is a natural phenomenon that can bring pleasure or destruction, and also be useful for humanity. A specific action of it depends on how large will be the strength (or speed) of the wind.