MPPSC 2022 Prelims Paper-I · Question 7 of 100

Correct — D, Anemometer. An anemometer (commonly the rotating cup-type) measures the speed/velocity of wind, and is the standard instrument used for this at weather stations.

• (a)Barometer — Measures atmospheric pressure, not wind speed.
• (b)Hygrometer — Measures atmospheric humidity/moisture content, not wind speed.
• (c)Maximum – Minimum Thermometer — Records the highest and lowest temperature over a period (e.g. Six's thermometer) — it measures temperature, not wind.

Meteorological instruments are each built for a single parameter: an anemometer for wind speed, a wind vane for wind direction, a barometer for pressure, a hygrometer for humidity, and a thermometer for temperature. The classic cup anemometer has three or four cups on horizontal arms that spin faster as wind speed increases.

Exams pair instruments with the parameter they measure — the trap is mixing up instruments that all sit together at the same weather station (anemometer vs barometer vs hygrometer).

• Anemometer measures wind speed/velocity (cup anemometer is the common type)
• Wind vane measures wind direction — a separate instrument from the anemometer
• Barometer measures atmospheric pressure
• Hygrometer measures humidity; a max-min thermometer records the daily temperature range

• Confusing the anemometer (measures speed) with the wind vane (measures direction)
• Confusing the barometer (pressure) with the anemometer (speed)

A recurring 'match the instrument to what it measures' factual question across MPPSC/UPSC geography sections.

No directly related past PYQ was found.

• practice — not a real PYQ

  Which instrument is used to measure the direction of wind?

  • (a)Anemometer
  • (b)Wind vane
  • (c)Barometer
  • (d)Hygrometer

  Answer(b) Wind vane.

• practice — not a real PYQ

  Atmospheric pressure is measured using a:

  • (a)Anemometer
  • (b)Barometer
  • (c)Hygrometer
  • (d)Thermometer

  Answer(b) Barometer.