How to Build a Clinometer

How to Build a ClinometerMaterials Needed:

Photocopy of Protractor, 9 x 12 piece of cardboard, string,

glue, washer or lead weight, straw, tape

Procedure: Cut out the copy of the protractor and carefully glue to the cardboard. The top 9edge of cardboard should be along the straight edge of the protractor. The edge that says straw should be overhanging the top edge by .

Glue the straw along the top. Glue it to the overhanging paper and secure the ends with clear tape. Make sure the end of the straw is flush with the end of the cardboard. Make sure you can see all the way through the straw.

Punch a small hole with a nail where it says hole for string.

Thread a string or thread through the hole. Tie one end to the straw, and the other end to a washer or other weight.

How to Use: Find tall object you wish to measure. Sit on ground a set distance from the objects base. (example: 10 feet) Hold Clinometer in right hand and look through straw at the top of the tall object. Have your partner record the reading of where the string crosses the lines on the protractor. Count how many degrees it measures from 90. Lets suppose you get a reading of 30 degrees past vertical. This is your angle of elevation.

Plug this angle measure into you formula:

TAN (x) = Opposite

Adjacent

So in our example above: TAN (30) = unknown x

10

0.577 = x

10

so x = 57.7 feet The object is 57.7 feet tall!