Weather is the state of the atmosphere at given time and place. Most weather
takes place in the troposphere, the lowest layer of the atmosphere. Air temperature
and pressure, the amount and type of precipitation, the strength and direction of wind,
and types of clouds all describe weather. Weather changes each day because the air in
our atmosphere is always moving, distributing energy from the sun. There are a
ton of instruments used just to measure weather, read below to find out more!
A thermometer is a device that measures the temperature of things.
"Thermo" means heat and "meter" means to measure. You use a
thermometer to tell the temperature outside or inside. Also you
use a thermometer to tell you your temperature if your sick.
The thermometer measures temperatures in fahrenheit, celsius,
and in kelvin. Fahrenheit is used mostly in the USA, and most
of the rest of the world uses celsius. Kelvin is used by the scientists. Read More
A rain gauge is an instrument used to measure
precipitation. A standard rain gauge consists
of a funnel leading to a measuring tube. A tipping
bucket rain gauge contains a small bucket mounted
on a pivot. A weighing-type rain gauge weighs the
precipitation as it falls into a container resting on
a scale and records the weight, usually on revolving graph paper. A rain gauge is measured in millimeters per hour. Read more
A barometer measures atmospheric pressure. The red pointer
points to the current pressure. It can measure the pressure exerted by the atmosphere by using water, air, or mercury. A
barometer measures in millibars or inches. Read more
An anemometer is a device for measuring the wind speed, and is a common weather station. The spinning cup anemometer only measures wind speed. It includes 3 to 4 cups mounted on a vertical pole. The cups catch the blowing wind and turn the pole. An anemometer measures miles per hour. Read more
A sling psychrometer measures relative humidity. A psychrometer has a wet and dry bulb thermometer. The instrument consists of two similar thermometers that are mounted side by side. The dry bulb has its bulbed exposed to the air. While the wet bulb is wrapped in absorbent material. A psychrometer measures in percentages. Read more
A hydrometer is used to measure the specific gravity.
A hydrometer is made of glass and consists of a cylindrical stem
and bulb weighted with a mercury or lead shot to make it float
upright. The liquid is poured into a tall jar, and the hydrometer
is gently lowered into the liquid until it floats freely. A hydrometer is measured using liters. Read more
