1N22.90 - Altitude or Height Measurments

Sight through the straw to the top of the object or the rockets maximum altitude.  Read the inclination angle on the altimeter.  Use geometry to calculate the height of the object or rocket.
Code Number:
1N22.90
Demo Title:
Altitude or Height Measurments
Condition:
Good
Principle:
Height or Altitude
Area of Study:
Mechanics
Equipment:
Geometric Altimeter and altitude finders located in the 1I10.10 "Amusement Park Physics" box.
Procedure:

Sight through the straw to the top of the object or the rockets maximum altitude.  Read the inclination angle on the altimeter.  Use geometry to calculate the height of the object or rocket.

Sight along the top of the altitude finder to the top of the object or the maximum height of the trajectory to be measured. Observe the angle that is shown on your altitude finder. Simple geometry will give you the height of your object or trajectory.

References:
  • Joseph Amato, "Using Elementary Mechanics to Estimate the Maximum Range of ICBMs", TPT, Vol. 56, #4, Apr. 2018, p. 210.
  • Borislaw Bilash II, David Maiullo, "How High?", A Demo a Day: A Year of Physics of Demonstrations, p. 2.
  • Pat Murphy, Ellen Macaulay, and the staff of the Exploratorium, "The Hypsometer", Exploratopia, p. 147.

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