Hobbies And Interests
Cloud Ceiling Estimation
Cloud ceiling is the lowest altitude at which a cloud remains visible. Meteorologists estimate cloud ceilings to help ensure flight safety. When clouds are too low, visibility is affected ̵2; it may be hazardous for aircraft to fly. At night, a vertical beam of light from a searchlight or the equivalent is pointed at a spot on the cloud. The cloud̵7;s height is estimated using the tangent formula. If the angle to the cloud spot is called "theta," and the distance from the person to the searchlight is "x," then the height, or "h," is found using the tangent formula, which is tan theta equals h divided by x.
Wind Speed and Direction
Meteorologists are interested in knowing the magnitude and direction of wind. They use a device called an anemometer to measure it. They can also estimate it with trigonometric functions. Assume a wind has a southerly component and an easterly component. The southerly component may be 10 kilometers per hour, for example. Assign the variable "y" to the southerly component, and the variable "x" to the easterly one. Find the wind̵7;s angle theta from the formula tan theta equals y divided by x. Use theta to find the magnitude "r" with the sine formula: sin theta equals r divided by y.
Weather Balloons
Weather balloons are used to help measure temperature, humidity and wind. These balloons can typically ascend to 100,000 feet and drift for 125 miles. They carry a device called a radiosonde, which takes humidity, pressure and temperature measurements. The initial height of the balloon can be calculated from the tangent function with the use of a ground crew̵7;s distance and angle of sight. The tangent function is also used to calculate the balloon̵7;s height when it's between two observation stations. The balloon̵7;s height, angle, distance and travel time can be used in calculations to help estimate wind speed.
Temperature Models
Temperature is cyclical: Although it fluctuates over the seasons, it repeats itself on a yearly basis. Meteorologists use a variety of mathematical methods to track and forecast temperature. Their methods are based on the trigonometric sine and cosine functions. Meteorologists collect temperature data at certain locations and times, such as in a park, and graph the average daily temperature in Celsius or Fahrenheit. The measurements may be taken over an interval of months. The temperature is placed on the y-axis, while the month it's observed is placed on the x-axis. The ensuing graph shows that the temperature forms a wave that repeats itself over time.