Posted 10-30-2004 at 02:13 AM

Here's a way for the rocket enthusiasts to calculate the altitude of their rocket! I've tried to put it into as simple as possible. :D

First you'll need a tool to find the angle of how high your rocket flew. (I forgot the name of the thing.) You can make one easily using a protractor, and a piece of string with tape and a weight.

Then you need to determine the distance between you and the rocket launchpad.

Once you find out the distance between you and the launch pad, you need to measure the angle at which the rocket flew to its highest altitiude. Then with that information you can input it into a math formula to solve for the altitude.

Formula

Tan angle = Height/Distance from launchpad
or
Height = tan angle x distance from launchpad

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That formula will be very accurate assuming that your rocket flew directly straight up.
If you're rocket has curved, then that formula would not be very accurate.
For a more accurate version, you would need two person to monitor the rocket's angle.
Below is a diagram to show you exactly how that would work.



Above is an even more complex one that involves two people.