MCQ Detailed View

Wind speed measurement is essential in meteorology, navigation, and aviation. The Beaufort Scale is one of the most widely recognized systems for classifying wind speeds and describing their observable effects. It was introduced in 1805 by Sir Francis Beaufort, an officer in the British Royal Navy.

The Beaufort Scale ranges from 0 to 12, where each level corresponds to a specific wind speed range and its visible impact on the environment.

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  Beaufort 0 → Calm; smoke rises vertically, no movement of leaves.

  
  


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  Beaufort 1–3 → Light breeze; wind felt on the face, leaves rustle, flags move slightly.

  
  


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  Beaufort 4–6 → Moderate to strong breeze; small branches sway, waves form on water.

  
  


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  Beaufort 7–9 → Strong to severe gale; trees sway, difficult to walk against the wind.

  
  


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  Beaufort 10–12 → Storm to hurricane; structural damage possible, very dangerous conditions.

  
  

This scale is practical because it not only gives numerical wind speeds (in km/h, mph, or knots) but also describes real-life effects on surroundings, making it useful for sailors and weather forecasting.

Why not other options?

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  Richter Scale: Used to measure earthquake magnitude, not wind.

  
  


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  Meter-second scale: A unit (m/s) used in physics for velocity, but not an official "scale."

  
  


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  None of these: Incorrect, since the Beaufort Scale is correct.

  
  

Key Points:

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  Developed by Sir Francis Beaufort in the early 19th century.

  
  


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  Scale: 0 (calm) → 12 (hurricane-force).

  
  


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  Still used in meteorology, shipping, and aviation.

  
  


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  Provides both quantitative wind speed and qualitative environmental effects.

  
  

Thus, the correct answer is Beaufort Scale, which remains a crucial tool in physics and meteorology for understanding wind speed and its impact.