Effect of Water on the Force of Wind

The purpose of our experiment was to determine whether the addition of water to a strong wind would affect the total force on an object. The addition of rain simulated the difference between a hurricane and a strong wind. We also sought to determine at what wind speed the water would begin to have an effect on the force if it did indeed affect it. To do this, we created a wind tunnel to propel water droplets at high wind speeds. A force sensor was placed outside the end of the tunnel to measure the force that the wind and/or water would create. With a variety of wind speeds between 2.8 meters per second and 12 meters per second, the force was measured with and without water added to the wind. After finding the mean of these trials, it was determined that the water did have a positive effect on the force beginning between 8.8 meters per second and 9.7 meters per second. Additional trials were performed on these two speeds, and a two sample t test was done to analyze the difference in force between wind with and without water. Another t test was also performed on the highest attainable wind speed – 12 meters per second. At 8.8 meters per second, the water had little or no effect on the total force, but at 9.7 and 12 meters per second, the water increased the force tremendously.

Research Done By:

Andrew Matti
Sterling Heights High School

Patrick Niebrzydowski
Sterling Heights High School

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