Indirect Measurement: Using a Hypsometer

1
Indirect Measurement Using a Hypsometer

• Materials
• 10 square piece of cardboard
• Drinking straw
• Small washer
• Tape
• String
• Mark 10 equal intervals on sides AB and CB
• Tape a drinking straw to side AD.
• Tape one end of the string to side CD and put
  through the straw.
• On the loose end of the string tie the washer.

A
D
B
Z
C
2
How to Use the Hypsometer
R

1. Segment RG represents the object you are going to
   measure. Point D is the location of your eye
   when you position the hypsometer. Point H is the
   location of your feet.
2. Hold the hypsometer, viewing through point D and
   looking-up with point A (on the hypsometer)
   directed towards the top of the object (point R).
   Point D on both the drawings are the same point!
3. Hold the string down tight to the cardboard so
   that you can note the distance from point B to Z
   (on the hypsometer). Mark this distance on the
   appropriate column on the Data Table.

Q G
D H

1. When marking the distances, in the Data Table
   from points A to B should be the same for all
   your objects measured.
2. Using the tape measure, measure the distance from
   points G to H. Enter that distance in the
   appropriate column of the Data Table.
3. Measure the distance from points D to H. Enter
   that distance in the appropriate column of the
   Data Table.

3
Person with Hypsometer__________________________Re
corder_________________________
Object Length of AB Length of BZ Length of GH Length of DH Length of QR Calculated in classroom Height of object RG DH QR



Complete the calculations for each row in the
table and attach your work. Use the following
formula to calculate the value of
QR Calculate the height of the object (RG)
by adding DH and QR.
4
Please respond to the following questions in
complete sentences . Share your responses with
me as a Google Document titled Grade 9_first
name last name_Hypsometer Activity. I WONT
GRADE IT IF IT IS NOT TITLED CORRECTLY.

1. Why does this method of measurement with the
   hypsometer work and how does it apply to what we
   learned in class? Write a minimum of 5
   sentences.
2. Why is it important to have the same person hold
   the hypsometer when you are measuring? Write a
   minimum of 3 sentences.
3. How accurate were your measurements? Why? Write
   a minimum of 5 sentences.
4. What improvements could you make ? How would
   these changes improve the activity? Write a
   minimum of 7 sentences.
5. How are the same principles used in the activity
   applied in real life? Write a minimum of 5
   sentences.

5
Grading

• Criterion A Table and your calculations. 8
  points
• Criterion B Questions 1 and 2. 8 points
• Criterion D Questions 3, 4 and 5. 6 points

• I would advise you to look at what is expected to
  earn the maximum points by reading over the
  criteria at mrsriegels.weebly.com under the MYP
  tab.
• The sentence requirement is a minimum. The more
  detail and explanation you give, the better.