Purpose To be able to find the distance to an object by using the triangulation method.
Goal After completing this exercise the percent of error will be less than 5%.
Constraints Pacing techniques—alignment of sighting device—scale used
Materials Protractor—sighting device—2 stakes—paper—pace knowledge—metric ruler.
Procedures
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1. Using your pace, set up your base line.
(figure available in print form)
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BASE LINE DISTANCE _____
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METERS
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2. Using your protractor, sighting device, and magnetic compass, determine the number of degrees to the object from the right and left side of your base line.
(figure available in print form)
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RIGHT _____ DEGREES
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LEFT _____ DEGREES
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3. Decide on a scale to be used for distance determination.
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SCALE: _____ cm = _____ meters
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4. Construct your diagram on a sheet of paper using your scaled distance for the base line and construct angles with the same degrees measured.See procedure 2 for degrees.
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5. The location of the object is the point of intersection of lines of sight.
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6. Measure the distance in centimeters from the vertex to the center of the base line. _____ cm
7. Using your scale, determine the number of meters to the object. _____ meters.
If possible measure the actual distance and determine the percent error.
