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How to Build a Clinometer for Height Measurement

A clinometer is a tool that measures elevation angles and can be used to measure the height of tall objects. It consists of a protractor, string, and weight. To make a clinometer, cut out a paper protractor and attach it to cardboard with a straw taped to the edge. Poke a hole through the protractor's center and thread string through, tying a weight to the end. To use it, look through the straw to sight an object's top while a partner reads the string's angle on the protractor. Move back and forth until the angle is 45 degrees, then measure distances to calculate the object's height using trigonometry in an isosceles triangle.

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Yna Villanueva
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121 views3 pages

How to Build a Clinometer for Height Measurement

A clinometer is a tool that measures elevation angles and can be used to measure the height of tall objects. It consists of a protractor, string, and weight. To make a clinometer, cut out a paper protractor and attach it to cardboard with a straw taped to the edge. Poke a hole through the protractor's center and thread string through, tying a weight to the end. To use it, look through the straw to sight an object's top while a partner reads the string's angle on the protractor. Move back and forth until the angle is 45 degrees, then measure distances to calculate the object's height using trigonometry in an isosceles triangle.

Uploaded by

Yna Villanueva
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

PRE-CALCULUS

Research topic given:

CLINOMETER

GRADE 11 STEM 1

Mehra, Patrick Chester A.


Briones, Vianca A.
Encanto, Shannelle M.
Gisalan, Victoria Andrea R.
Soriano, Leonisse Angelika C.
Villanueva, Shainnah B.
What is a clinometer?

A clinometer is a tool that is used to measure the angle of elevation, or angle from
the ground, in a right - angled triangle. You can use a clinometer to measure the height
of tall things that you can't possibly reach to the top of, flag poles, buildings, and trees.
Follow the directions below to create your own clinometer.

To construct or improvise a clinometer:

You will need:

A protractor with a small hole on the center spot or


Print out of paper protractor (see below)
Poster board or card board (can be from a box) to back the protractor
20 cm or about 8 inches of string or strong cotton
Weight - such as a metal nut, seashells, paper clips or a small piece of clay
Glue and Scissors
A straw
Clear Tape
Items marked with the red check are needed with either type of protractor.

Directions:

If you are making a protractor, cut out the copy of the protractor.
Get the piece of poster board or an empty box. Stick the paper protractor on top of
the card and cut the joined pieces.
Get the straw and tape it to the straight edge of your protractor that you made
above.
With your pen or pencil, poke a hole through the center of the protractor where it
meets the straw. Push the string through the hole and tie a large knot on the other
side so it won't pull through.
Tie your weight to the other end of the string.

To use the clinometer:

The diagram shows what the assembled


clinometer will look like when laying on a flat
surface. When using it, the straw will be on
the top.
You will need two people: one to look through the straw and site the top of an object and
one to read the degrees that the string makes with the protractor.

Find a tall tree (or building, flag pole etc.) in a place where there is plenty of space to move
away from the object that you are measuring.
Look through the straw and find the top of the tree.
Ask your friend to read the angle being recorded on the clinometer. This is read where the
string or cotton is touching the protractor.
Keep moving back (or forward if you've gone too far) until you have the clinometer angle
measuring 45 degrees. With a 45 degree angle your job will be much easier as the
distance from you to the tree will be equal to the distance from the ground to the top of the
tree.
Measure the distance between where you are standing and the base of the tree.
Measure the distance from your eyes to the ground (this is where your partner is
indispensable!)
Add these two distances together - because to be most accurate the triangle has to finish
at your feet not your eyes.
You now have a very close approximation of the height of the tree, building or other tall
structure.

You, the base of the tree and the top of the tree, form an isosceles triangle meaning the
distance from you to the base of the tree is equal to the height of the tree (from the
viewer's eyes to the top).

Reference: [Link]

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