A clinometer (also called a declinometer) is an instrument that measures vertical slope, usually the angle between the ground
or the observer and a tall object, such as a tree or building (angle of elevation), but it can be used from the heights to a lower point (angle of depression or decline). Clinometers are frequently used in astronomy, surveying, engineering, and forestry. While you could purchase one of these very useful tools, they are also remarkably easy to make. Here's how to make them and as a bonus there are applications with examples of how they may be applied.
editSteps editFixed
Angle (45 degree) Clinometer 1. 1
Fold a "square" piece of paper in half from corner to corner and crease it to form two triangles with one 90 degree angle and two 45 degree angles, and leave it folded together so that it appears to be one triangle. Tape or glue the triangles together so that they will not open back up to make it stronger. Note: Thicker paper, such as construction paper or poster board will make your clinometer more durable. The paper that you use must be square so that both sides (called legs) of the triangle are equal length. Ads by Google
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2.
Tape a straight drinking straw to the triangle's hypotenuse. Position a drinking straw along the hypotenuse (the longest edge of the triangle) so that one end extends slightly out from the paper, and use tape or glue to secure it to the paper. The straw will be the sight that you look through. Make sure you don't deform the straw, and make sure that it is aligned perfectly on top (along the edge) of the hypotenuse.
3.
Punch a small hole close to the corner where the hypotenuse meets either side. The hypotenuse, of course, meets both of the other sides. You should put the hole near the corner where the straw does not extend beyond the paper (this will be the top of the clinometer).
4. 5.
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Insert a string through the hole and tie a knot or tape it to keep it from slipping out of the hole. Use enough string so that you have at least a few inches dangling at the bottom of the clinometer.
Tie a washer or fishing weight to the bottom end of the string. The weight should dangle a few inches below the corner of the clinometer so that the string will swing freely. Use one eye to look at the top of some tall object, such as a tree or pole, through the straw.
6.
For such an object, you can back up or move forward while the weight always points straight downward and when the string lines up with the leg of the triangle and it will be 45 degrees, reading on the clinometer. When this happens, it means the angle of elevation between your eye and the top of the object is 45 degrees.
Applications
1.
Surveyors devices...
Find the height of a pole. The distance d from where you read the 45 degree angle to the base of the pole on level ground is the same as the height of the pole (So the height is also d.), because you are using 45 degree angles, and know the two legs are always equal in any 45-45-90 triangle. Lets say that you measure d and find that it is 30 meters to the base of the pole, so then the pole is also 30 meters high.
2.
Find the length of a cable stretched at 45 degrees (parallel to the hypotenuse). That's the distance at that angle from where you were taking the 45 degree reading up to the top of the [Link] the Pythagorean Theorem (A2 + B2) = C2. We know that A and B are the legs of the triangle. o (A2 + B2) = C2 and since A = d and B = d also. o (d2) + (d2) or = (d X d) + (d X d) = C2. o o Be sure to square the distance d or multiply d x d before you add them. Find the square root of C2 which will be the length of the cable. If the distance to the pole is 30 meters then 302 + 302 or = (30 X 30) + (30 X 30) = 900 + 900 = 1800. Now,using a calculator, find the square root of 1800 = approx. 42.4 meters. The cable would be 42.4 meters long.
