6.2.

1: The Uses of a Clinometer

Many professions use clinometers. Some use
the clinometer to measure heights while others
use clinometers to measure the slope or
gradient of an incline.

The following are examples of some uses of
clinometers.


Why Would Geologists and Surveyors
Use Clinometers?
In their fieldwork, Geologists use
clinometers to determine the height of
an object (eg: a tree or a mountain) by
using the formula:

Height = H + D tanA

where:
H = height of the clinometer to the
ground
D = distance of the clinometer to the
object
A = angle taken from clinometer
reading
Picture from:
http://www.ukge.co.uk/UK/product.asp?numRecordPosition=1&P_ID
=256&strPageHistory=&strKeywords=&SearchFor=&PT_ID=133
Why Would a Skier or Winter Hiker
Want to Have a Clinometer With
Them?
Skiers and winter hikers use a
clinometer as a safety device.
Snow covered slopes angled
between 25 and 45 have a
higher risk of avalanches and
would therefore be avoided.

Picture from: http://pistehors.com/backcountry/wiki/Gear/Clinometer

Why Would Sailors Want a Clinometer
on Their Ship?
Sight clinometers are used to
determine the height of clouds.
Sailors can use them to predict
possible dangers from storms.

These were more commonly
used before, the more accurate,
satellite weather monitors were
invented.
Picture from: http://www.novalynx.com/400-2090.html
Why Would Cave Surveyors Use a
Clinometer?
Inclinometers (another name for
a clinometer) are used in cave
surveying. The clinometer
helps to measure the depth of
the cave and horizontal
distances throughout the cave.
This helps surveyors to create a
map of the cave.

Picture from:
http://www.nps.gov/wica/naturescience/cave-surveying.htm
Why Would City Planners Need
Clinometers?
Digital clinometers can be used
to assess the conditions of
sidewalks and roads.
Appropriate slopes of roads and
sidewalks are necessary for:
- road safety.
- appropriate runoff of rain.
- accessibility for pedestrians
with special needs.

Picture from:
http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/sidewalk2/sidewalks211
Other Uses of Clinometers
Indicating pitch and roll of vehicles, sail boats, and aircraft.

Monitoring boom angle of cranes and material handlers.

Measuring the "look angle" of a satellite antenna towards a satellite.

Measuring movements in walls and/or the ground in civil
engineering projects

Measuring the angle of drilling in well-logging applications.

Rollover warning, to alert equipment operator of possible tip over
condition

Determining the angle of the earth's magnetic field in respect to the
horizontal plane.

Measuring steepness of a ski slope. (<10
o
for beginners, 10
o
-20
o

"green", 15
o
-25
o
"blue", 25
o
-35
o
"black", 35
o
-45
o
"double black")

Information from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clinometer

6.2.2: Activity: Measuring the Gradient of a Road
City planners must be careful when building roads and
sidewalks to ensure that they are not too steep. Otherwise, they
will be dangerous for vehicles and pedestrians.

Vehicles traveling uphill require more energy in order to produce
more power. Therefore steeper hills can contribute to more air
and sound pollution.

A hills steepness is indicated by its gradient.

To measure the gradient of a hill one must find the altitude
change (rise) and the horizontal distance (run). The gradient of
a hill is the slope (rise/run) as a percentage.






5 m
56 m
Gradient =
5 m
___
56 m
X 100%
= 8.9%
e.g.:
Activity: Part 1
You will be part of a group of city
planners determining whether or not to
build a new road by the school.

You must study each hill in the area to
ensure that they are of a safe incline.
Otherwise, they will have to be
leveled.

It is recommended that hills not
exceed a gradient of 10%. Some
roads do in fact exceed this gradient.
However, with our harsh winters we
should avoid this.

In groups of 3 you will be assigned a
hill to analyze.
Materials
Home made clinometer

2 metre sticks

Measuring tape

Paper and pen to write down
calculations
Picture from: http://www.state.nj.us/dep/seeds/syhart/clinom.htm
Person 1 stands on the top of the hill with the metre stick in front
of them, perpendicular to the ground.
Person 2 and 3 stand at the bottom of the hill.
Person 2 holds the metre stick perpendicular to the ground while
person 3 uses the clinometer to sight from the tip of their metre
stick to the tip of the other.
***Ensure your line of sight is parallel to the ground.
Record the angle of inclination from the clinometer
Measure the distance along the ground from the bottom of the
hill to the top of the hill.

90 line on
protractor
weight
Line of
sight
Activity: Part 2
As city planners, you will need to create a scale model of the area.

You know the angle of inclination of the hill () as well as the length
of the hill (c). Using this, you will have to calculate the vertical
height (a) and horizontal length (b) of the hill. Use trigonometry to
do this. Give your results in feet.

You can now use the rise (a) and the run (b) to measure the
gradient of the hill.

Your scale model will be 5% of the original size.

Determine the vertical height (a1) and the horizontal length (b1) of
the scale model of the hill. Give your results in inches.
a
b

c
Written Report
You will submit a report containing:
A description of where your hill is with reference to the school.

A labeled diagram of your hill.

Calculations of the vertical height and horizontal length of the hill
(in feet).

Below your diagram give a brief discussion of whether the hill is
safe or not (make reference to the grade).

Calculation of the vertical height and horizontal length of the
smaller scale version of the hill (in inches).

Note:
You will not actually have to construct the scale model, just give
calculations for it.