Question 1 Report
Table 1 shows wind-speed readings collected at five heights above a dune in the Rub' al Khali. Fig. 1 shows the anemometer mast used in the investigation. The team is studying why wind erosion is strongest near particular parts of a desert landscape.
| Height above ground (m) | Wind speed (m/s) |
|---|---|
| 0.1 | 3.2 |
| 0.5 | 5.7 |
| 1.0 | 7.1 |
| 2.0 | 8.6 |
| 3.0 | 9.0 |
(a) Which height shown has a wind speed of 7.1 m/s? [1]
(b) Outline why wind speed is lower close to the ground. [2]
(c) Draw a labelled scale bar of 1 m beside the mast in Fig. 1. [2]
(a) 1.0 m [1] (b) Ground friction/roughness slows the air [1]; shrubs, stones or sand ripples create resistance/turbulence [1]. (c) A vertical or horizontal scale bar labelled 1 m, with sensible relative length beside mast [2]
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