Why Do Weather Vanes Point Into the Wind?

What Crafty Clover says in this video

Intro

Hey there, sky watchers! I'm Crafty Clover! Let's discover something amazing. Why do weather vanes point into the wind?

The Big Idea

A weather vane is an old-fashioned wind detector that sits on a roof or barn. It spins freely, and the pointer end turns to face into the oncoming wind. So the arrow always points to where the wind is coming from.

Wind Hits the Vane

Step one: the wind hits the vane. A weather vane has a pointer at the front and a big flat tail at the back. Moving air pushes on both parts.

The Tail Gets Pushed

Step two: the tail gets pushed. The tail has more surface area than the pointer, so the wind pushes it harder. The vane swings until the tail is downwind.

The Pointer Faces In

Step three: the pointer faces the wind. Once the tail is pushed downwind, the pointer is facing into the wind. A vane pointing north means a north wind.

A Closer Look

Let's take a closer look at a weather vane! The pointer faces into the wind. The tail catches the wind and swings away. And the base holds a pole that lets the vane turn freely.

Quick Facts

Quick facts! Weather vanes sit on barns and rooftops, up high where the wind is clean. Many weather vanes are shaped like roosters, and they have been used for hundreds of years. The pointer shows the direction the wind is coming from. When the wind changes direction, the vane turns right along with it.

Think Like a Scientist

Now, think like a scientist! With a grown-up, spot a weather vane on a barn or roof. Look at where the pointer is facing. Write down the name of the wind. Check again later, and ask: has the wind changed?

Outro

A weather vane lines up with the wind, so the arrow points into the breeze. Science is amazing! Crafty Clover can be found on Amazon Books, Google Bookstore, and Apple Books. Available for purchase or download! Bye for now!