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This is a Clilstore unit. You can link all words to dictionaries.

How to measure the height of a building?

Introduction

There are many buildings in your town and maybe you wonder how high they are. You don´t need any special tools. Read carefully the task and all instructions in the following 4 activities.

Some of the websites linked in the text might not be shown correctly. In this case click on the green buttons above or below the text.

Task

Make groups of three and in these groups perform the following methods of measuring the height of a building and compare them:

  1. Measure the distance between you and the building, and then the angle between surface of the earth and the line from you to the top of the building. Then use the trigonometric function in the right-angled triangle.
  2. Measure the length of the shadow of the building. At the same time, create another triangle by digging a stick into the ground and observe the shadow of the stick. Then use the similarity of these triangles.
  3. For the measurement of the height, use the freefall of an object from the roof. You have to measure the time of the fall and then use the formula for the path of the freefall. Before the calculations, repeat this action at least three times, and take the average number.
  4. Find your own method for measuring the height of a building.

Process

Activity 1

You can see the method of measuring the height of the tree. Measuring the height of the building is the same.

You have to measure the distance AD and the angle α. To measure the angle you need the protractor. If you don´t have any, create it yourself.

Before you start the task, you can watch this video to recall the information about the trigonometric functions.

Now you have to perform the formula using the proper function.

Activity 2

Before you start the second task, make sure that the weather is good enough. You will need to see the shadow of the building.

The mathematical skill needed is the similarity of triangles. Watch the video in this link to get information.

The height of the building and the length of its shadow are two sides of your first triangle. Now dig a stick into the ground. The height of the stick and the length of its shadow are two sides of your second triangle. Now compare these two triangles to find out what the unknown height of the building is.

Activity 3

Here you have information about uniformly accelerated motion.

Go up to the roof of the building and drop an appropriate object from there down. First make sure that you will not cause any danger to you nor to anybody else. Measure the time of the freefall. Repeat a minimum of three times and take the average. Try to use the proper formula to calculate the height of the building.

If you still have a problem, then follow this link.

Activity 4

Try to find out your own method of measuring the height of a building. Then explain it to your classmates using a presentation, pictures, graphs, calculations etc.

Presentation

Each group should present its results using the appropriate tools. The pictures, tables, graphs, calculations etc. should be shown.

About each presentation, discuss:

Evaluation

 For the criteria click on the button Criteria.

Conclusion

The students practised the mathematical and physical knowledge in reality. They worked in team to get the best results. A variety of skills was needed – calculating, preparing the tools, looking for the information on the internet, creating the electronic materials etc. If they were successful, they obtained and connected many interesting and useful pieces of information.

 

 

 

Clilstore CriteriaSimilarity of trianglesAccelerated MotionCalculation of the motion

Short url:   https://clilstore.eu/cs/6937