The Trigonometric Surveyor

In this assignment, you will calculate the height of a tall object in your neighborhood (like a tree, a flagpole, or your house) without actually climbing it.

Tasks:

1. Build a simple Clinometer: Tape a drinking straw to the straight edge of a protractor. Tie a string with a small weight (like a washer or a key) to the center hole of the protractor.
2. Measure: Look through the straw at the very top of your chosen tall object. Have a friend read the angle on the protractor where the string hangs down.
3. Calculate: Measure your distance from the base of the object. Using the tangent function (Tan(θ)=AdjacentOpposite​) and your measured distance, calculate the height of the object. Remember to add your own height (eye-level) to the final calculation!
4. Document: Submit a sketch of your setup, the formula used, and your final calculated height.