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CLINOMETER
A clinometer is an instrument which lets you
estimate the height of an object (building, tree, flagpole) by using the properties of a right angled
triangle.
There are many types of clinometer:
From the simple home-made
To the more elaborate
To the unusual looking
Or even this
However each is used in the same way
to measure an angle that will lead to
calculating the height of an object.
To calcuate the height of a tree
Stand a suitable distance from the tree
c
Using a suitable instrument measure and record height A and distance B
Use a clinometer to measure the angle at C
The procedure is the same for any
object
Measure angle
Measure
vertical height
of observer (to
eye level)
Measure horizontal distance to base of object
Draw a Suitable diagram
Use this as a scale diagram to find the
height of the object
x
TanC 
B
x  B  TanC
Or use trigonometry
Height of object is x +A
x
c
B
A
adj
A
opp
Height of
observer (M)
(A)
1.55
Horizontal
distance to
object (M)
(B)
24
x
Angle
(C)
230
TanC
0.4245
Height of
object
(BXTanC)
x
10.19
+A
11.74