Indirect Measurement: Using a Hypsometer
A
D
B
Z
C
Materials:
10” square piece of cardboard
Drinking straw
Small washer
Tape
String
1. Mark 10 equal intervals on sides
AB and CB
2. Tape a drinking straw to side AD.
3. Tape one end of the string to side
CD and put through the straw.
4. On the loose end of the string tie
the washer.
How to Use the Hypsometer
R
D
H
4.
5.
6.
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
Q
location of your feet.
2. Hold the hypsometer, viewing through point D and
G
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.
When marking the distances, in the Data Table from points A to B should be the
same for all your objects measured.
Using the tape measure, measure the distance from points G to H. Enter that
distance in the appropriate column of the Data Table.
Measure the distance from points D to H. Enter that distance in the appropriate
column of the Data Table.
Person with Hypsometer__________________________Recorder_________________________
Object
Length of AB
Length of BZ
Length of GH
Length of DH
Length of QR
**Calculated
in classroom
Complete the calculations for each row in the table and attach your work.
Use the following formula to calculate the value of QR:
BZ
QR

AB
GH
Calculate the height of the object (RG) by adding DH and QR.
Height of
object
RG = DH + QR
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 WON’T 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.
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.