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tinyE
Since 21 Jan 2006
2004 Posts
not really an
XTreme Poster
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 Wed Aug 15, 07 6:51 pm How can you see wind? |
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Hein started it... reminded me of an old physics prof I had. He asked the question, "how can you see wind"?. Everything I could come up with (ripples on water, trees bending, etc...) were all effects of wind.
Unfortunately, the professor died before I got the answer, so I have no idea what it is.... so, I ask you...
How can you see wind? |
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boardrider
Since 05 Apr 2006
1034 Posts
Ventura, CA
XTreme Poster
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| Wed Aug 15, 07 7:18 pm |
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Have you guys been sitting around drinking coffee and hittin' the hooka again? 
What if you introduce something into the air - ie. smoke - or is that cheating? |
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registered
Since 12 Jul 2005
1319 Posts
tsunami
Sandbagger
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| Wed Aug 15, 07 7:56 pm |
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A credit card and I kitesurf magically shows me wind at work.  |
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Kraemer
Since 24 Apr 2006
1735 Posts
Sky Pilot
Unicorn Captain
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| Wed Aug 15, 07 8:01 pm |
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| ...OPEN YOUR MIND.... |
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Reaper356
Since 10 Dec 2006
781 Posts
Salem / LC Oregon
Opinionated
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| Wed Aug 15, 07 9:18 pm |
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Well, since air is a gas, you should be able to see it w/ a different light source. Or goggles sensitive to different light. Maybe some fancy IR goggles.  |
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jsj
Since 11 Sep 2006
83 Posts
Hood River
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| Wed Aug 15, 07 9:57 pm warning: Science Content! |
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different light source isn't quite right.... but it's close.
Schlieren flow visualization can be used to image density variation in an airstream. The index of refraction of a transmissive medium varies based on it's density; any flowing, compressible gas that has velocity variation will also have density variation.... need a light source and a way to compare the refracted light to the unaffected light.
The apparatus is a bit bulkier than a pair of goggles unfortunately.
Heh. I've been waiting almost 20 years to use that bit of useless knowledge.
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tinyE
Since 21 Jan 2006
2004 Posts
not really an
XTreme Poster
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| Thu Aug 16, 07 5:07 am |
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heh heh.... smoke wouldn't work... again, an effect...
thanks jsj for the physics answer! I have a feeling my prof's idea was way less technical, and.... it was about 20 years ago.... but it'll do!
I was wondering if perhaps there was a way to see a pressure difference by some kind of certain clouds and the way they are shaped or moving or something like that.... |
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KidCorporate
Since 10 Jul 2007
563 Posts
Addicted
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| Thu Aug 16, 07 8:03 am Re: warning: Science Content! |
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| jsj wrote: | different light source isn't quite right.... but it's close.
Schlieren flow visualization can be used to image density variation in an airstream. The index of refraction of a transmissive medium varies based on it's density; any flowing, compressible gas that has velocity variation will also have density variation.... need a light source and a way to compare the refracted light to the unaffected light.
The apparatus is a bit bulkier than a pair of goggles unfortunately.
Heh. I've been waiting almost 20 years to use that bit of useless knowledge.
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Dammit. I was gonna mention density-dependent refractive indexes. |
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Yardsale
Since 29 Mar 2005
387 Posts
Portlanastan
Obsessed
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| Thu Aug 16, 07 8:43 am Re: How can you see wind? |
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| FlyinElvis wrote: | Hein started it... reminded me of an old physics prof I had. He asked the question, "how can you see wind"?. Everything I could come up with (ripples on water, trees bending, etc...) were all effects of wind.
Unfortunately, the professor died before I got the answer, so I have no idea what it is.... so, I ask you...
How can you see wind? |
Benjamin Franklin once said "thy should fart and smack 2 flints together.......the flame thus illuminating the wind- and its velocity thereby measurable" |
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pdxmonkeyboy
Since 16 May 2006
6081 Posts
forever labled as the
retired kiter & motorhead Unicorn Master
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| Thu Aug 16, 07 9:30 am |
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| I see the wind when I go to drink out of my can of beer and there is sand in it. |
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