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Book 7, Question 54 · Video

Why Do We Feel Wind More on Hills and Beaches?

Video · 2:02 · Crafty Clover explains, from A Million Whys Book 7

Wind feels stronger on hills and beaches because there is less in its way. Cities and forests slow the wind down with buildings and trees. Open water and hilltops have almost nothi

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What Crafty Clover says in this video

Intro

Hi, wind detectives! I'm Crafty Clover! Let's discover something amazing. Why do we feel wind more on hills and beaches?

The Big Idea

Wind feels stronger on hills and beaches because there is less in its way. Cities and forests slow the wind down with buildings and trees. Open water and hilltops have almost nothing to block it. Hills and coasts can also channel and speed up the air.

Blockers Slow Wind

Step one: blockers slow the wind. Buildings, trees, and bumpy ground rub against the moving air, and that friction slows it down. In a city or a forest, the wind gets tangled up.

Open Water Is Smooth

Step two: open water is smooth. Over the sea or a big lake, there is almost nothing to slow the air, so it can blow freely. At the beach, there can also be a sea breeze from cool water to warm land.

Hills Squeeze Air

Step three: hills squeeze the air. When wind climbs a hill, the air gets squeezed over the top and speeds up. Hilltops are also higher, where there is even less friction.

A Closer Look

Let's take a closer look at windy places! A city has lots of blockers, so the wind is slower and bumpier. A hilltop sticks up into faster air. And a beach has open water, so the breeze flows freely.

Quick Facts

Quick facts! Forests and towns slow the wind down by making it rub and swirl. The higher you go, the faster the wind often blows. Kite flyers love beaches and hills because the wind is steady. On a windy hill or beach, stay with a grown-up and away from cliff edges and big waves.

Think Like a Scientist

Now, think like a scientist! With a grown-up, look at photos of a courtyard and a hilltop. Compare the flags, trees, and grasses in each place. Which place looks windier? Then ask: what is blocking the wind in the other place?

Outro

Geography tunes the breeze, and open places feel windier. Science is amazing! Crafty Clover can be found on Amazon Books, Google Bookstore, and Apple Books. Available for purchase or download! Bye for now!

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