Recording the wind

Recording the wind

Pencil and paperOnline interactive
Overview
Using this Resource
Connecting to the Curriculum
Marking Student Responses
Further Resources
This task is about reading the Beaufort scale of wind speed.
Beaufort Scale of Wind Speed 
Force number Wind km/h Description Visual Evidence
0 Under 1 calm Smoke rises vertically.
1 1-5 light air Smoke shows wind direction.
2 6-11 light breeze Leaves rustle, wind felt on face.
3 12-19 gentle breeze Small twigs move.
4 20-28 moderate breeze Raises dust and paper, small branches move.
5 29-38 fresh breeze Small trees sway.
6 39-49 strong breeze Large branches move, whistling in telephone wires.
7 50-61 moderate gale Large trees move.
8 62-74 gale Twigs break from trees, walking is difficult.
9 75-88 strong gale Tiles blow off roofs.
10 89-101 storm Trees and overhead wires blow down.
11 102-120 violent storm Widespread damage.
12 over 120 hurricane Extreme damage.

Question 2Change answer

a)  Tanu kept a diary describing the wind.  Select the Force Number from the Beaufort Scale to match his descriptions.
Day Diary Entry Force Number
Monday It was a bit windy. We laughed at Paul when his chippie packet and postcard almost blew away!
Tuesday It was threatening to rain and even large branches of the trees were swaying. The leaves were blowing around.
Wednesday Auntie Sue's glasshouse was broken by a falling tree. It was scary!
Thursday The wind was calming down so we decided to make kites, but the wind was still too strong. It was difficult to walk around, even after lunch!
Friday The wind had almost gone. You could feel the wind on you, but it was too calm to fly kites.

Question 1Change answer

b)  Why is it useful to have scales like the Beaufort Scale of Wind Speed?
     
Task administration: 
This task can be completed with pencil and paper or online (with SOME auto marking).
Level:
4
Curriculum info: 
Science, Understanding about science, Planet Earth
Keywords: 
interacting systems, wind, weather, beaufort scale
Description of task: 
Students use the Beaufort Scale of wind speed to categorise diary entries about the wind in Auckland.
Curriculum Links: 
Science capabilities
The capabilities focus is brought about by the conversations you have and the questions you ask.
 
Capability: Interpret representations
Scientists represent their ideas in a variety of ways, including models, graphs, charts, diagrams and written texts. 
This resource provides opportunities to discuss different representations for measuring scales.
Science capabilities: 
Interpret representations
Making Better Sense: 
Features
Answers/responses: 
 

Y8 (05/2003)
a) Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday 
Friday 		 4
6
10
8
2		 all correct - very difficult
3-4 correct - easy
1-2 correct - very easy
b) Any 1 of:

  • Can be used in forecasting/predicting storms or bad weather.
  • Gives people a guideline as to when to announce a weather warning.
  • Enables comparison of different weather events in different places or the same place.
  • Other reasonable answers.
 moderate