You can either buy a rain gauge or make one of your own.A small amount of time and a few simple materials are all you need.The gauge can be used to compare the day to day, week to week, or month to month precipitation.
Step 1: The bottle's top should be cut off.
To remove the top of the bottle, use a pair of scissors.The bottle begins to narrow.A plastic bottle is the best choice.Remove the paper label completely.Younger children may need supervision when cutting a bottle.
Step 2: The pebbles should be placed in the bottom.
The bottle has pebbles in it.Soda bottles are not flat.To keep the gauge from tipping over, pour in the pebbles to even out the bottom.
Step 3: The bottle should be turned into a funnel.
Turn the bottle upside down by removing the cap.The top of the bottle should be pointing downward if it is placed upside down.Put the funnel in place by taping the two halves together.Make sure that the top half is firmly held in place, and that there aren't any gaps between the two pieces of your gauge.
Step 4: Make a measuring line.
If you want to create a straight vertical line from the bottom of the bottle to the top, you have to cut a long piece of duct tape.A horizontal line just above the pebbles can be drawn with a marker and straightedge.The gauge is at the bottom.Duct tape has strong adhesive properties.When soaking wet, masking tape may come loose.
Step 5: Half-inch or half-centimeter intervals should be marked off.
Put the ruler against the tape so that the 0 lines up with the bottom line.Use a marker to mark off the tape until you get to the top.The centimetres or inches should be labeled from the top to the bottom.You want to make your measurements easy to read during the experiment.Half interval doesn't need to be labeled.The first mark should be 1 inch or cm.The marks between the labels are a half measurement.Wait until your marker dries on the tape before putting your gauge in the rain.Do not apply markers in the rain.The results may be considered inaccurate if you have to apply new tape or markings midway through the experiment.You can use any unit of measurement in your experiment.You can mark off any part of the body.
Step 6: The gauge should be placed at an optimal location.
The gauge should be set on a level surface.It should not be in the way of people walking by.When it reaches the 0 mark, pour some water in the bottom.You can use coloured jelly instead of water to give you a reference point.If you want your measurements to be accurate, use oil or jelly instead of another liquid.The bottles are not evenly shaped on the bottom so you have to account for this.The gauge should be in a protected area.You want to make sure that there is no interference from wind, debris, or anything else that could block or prevent rain from entering.
Step 7: Make sure you pay attention to the weather.
There is a forecast for rain.You can check your gauge 24 hours later to see how high the water is.You know how much rain has fallen.If you want to compare your measurement to official ones, you can check the news or online for the rainfall measurement of your area.
Step 8: You should repeat your measurements.
If your curiosity has stopped, you can continue measuring for 7 - 14 days.If this is an experiment assigned by your teacher, make sure you follow the perimeters and take the measurements until the experiment tells you to stop.Try to take your measurements at the same time so that you can get a reading.To start a new measurement for the next day, dump the rain out between each measurement.
Step 9: You can get a plastic bottle.
You can find an empty bottle from your recycle bin.You can buy a two liter bottle of soda at your local supermarket or corner store.Before using, make sure it is completely empty and dry.
Step 10: Remove the top.
A horizontal line can be created by positioning masking tape a quarter of the way down around the bottle.Use scissors to cut the bottle.The diameter should be consistent.
Step 11: To remove the top of the bottle.
The bottle can be inverted to fit over the bottom of the bottle like a funnel.Paperclips can be used to hold the two halves together.If there is a lot of rain, you need to make sure your rain gauge isn't broken.
Step 12: Put your rain gauge there.
There is an adequate location to collect rain.You don't want to put the gauge in a high traffic area.There is a chance that a change in wind direction will prevent rain from falling into the gauge.Place it in a bucket or container to keep it upright.A hole may be dug for the gauge to stand halfway in.
Step 13: Measure your findings.
Take your measurement when the gauge is removed from its location.The rain should be put into a measuring cylinder.Don't spill any water.If you have collected rain for a week and the water from your rain gauge reaches the 10 cm mark on your measuring cylinder, you can determine how much rain has fallen.Take your daily measurements.Using a pen and paper, record your findings every day at the exact same time of day to give you an accurate comparison.
Step 14: There is an account for an odd bottle.
The bottles are not even at the bottom.Use a ruler to measure the amount of liquid in the rain.Take this small amount out of your final findings.
Step 15: Take your results and analyze them.
Take the amount of rain you gather and divide it by the time it takes to get to this amount.How many days will it take to get 15 cm of rain?You can compare the amount of rain from month to month, week to week, or day to day.As the season progresses, you can graph your results to see the changes.You can look at the wind speed, wind direction, or air pressure.You should always replace your gauge at the same location.