How To Measure Distance Using a Right Triangles

How To Measure Distance Using a Right Triangles

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  How to MeasureDistance Using Right Triangles Lab
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  Equipment A flatarea 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/
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  1. Begin thisexperiment 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.
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  2. Measure thebase “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
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  4. Draw thebase 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
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  5. Extend side“h” until it intersects with side “d”. d θ h
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  6. Scale upthe measurement by multiplying the length “ d ” by 10. d x 10= calculated distance Record this calculation under “calculated” in table #1.
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  7. Check tosee 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
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  Repeat this procedurefor 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.
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  Trial 1 actualscaled b θ d Calculated _____ Actual _____
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  Trial 2 actualscaled b θ d Calculated _____ Actual _____
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  Trial 3 actualscaled b θ d Calculated _____ Actual _____
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  END Return tochemistry web page.