How To Measure Distance Using a Right Triangles
- 1. How to Measure Distance Using Right Triangles Lab
- 2. Equipment A flat area the size of a lab desk. 1 centimeter graph paper http://206.110.20.132/~dhabecker/Math_Notes/graph_paper.pdf Protractor http://www.ossmann.com/protractor/ Metric ruler or tape measure http://www.vendian.org/mncharity/dir3/paper_rulers/
- 3. 1. Begin this experiment on a large table. Place an object (block) who’s distance you want to measure at one corner. At the opposite corner place a sighting device and protractor.
- 4. 2. Measure the base “b” of the triangle that is created and record its length in table #1. 3. Measure the angle “ θ ” made between the base and the hypotenuse and record the angle in table #1. θ b
- 5. 4. Draw the base and the angle on a piece of graph paper using a 10:1 reduction in scale (1 decimeter will be reduced to 1 centimeter. Do not reduce the angle). θ
- 6. 5. Extend side “h” until it intersects with side “d”. d θ h
- 7. 6. Scale up the measurement by multiplying the length “ d ” by 10. d x 10= calculated distance Record this calculation under “calculated” in table #1.
- 8. 7. Check to see if your calculation is correct by measuring the actual distance (d) between the base and the object. Record this measurement as “actual” in table #1. d θ d θ
- 9. Repeat this procedure for a total of 3 different block positions. Be sure to maintain one right angle between the base and the object being observed. The other angle will vary and must be determined by using a protractor. Direct any questions to my email.
- 10. Trial 1 actual scaled b θ d Calculated _____ Actual _____
- 11. Trial 2 actual scaled b θ d Calculated _____ Actual _____
- 12. Trial 3 actual scaled b θ d Calculated _____ Actual _____
- 13. END Return to chemistry web page.