The term known as angle of depression means our sight when we are looking downwards in a horizontal angle. Let’s take an example over here, suppose you are standing in your room and looking at something on the floor that is around 3 ft. away from you.
It could be a coin that fell on the floor or a ball. When you are looking down, imagine there is a line which forms between you and the object. This is known as the line of sign that is of course imaginary but represents the angle of your sight.
There are different angles as if we suppose that someone is coming towards you and you are looking towards him/her then would the angle remain the same? Nom it won’t as it will become a straight line. The change is not only about the up and or down, every angle is different. But, when you are looking at something just like our example of a fallen object that specific angle is known as the angle of depression.
If we take an example of the same scenario with the only difference, the fallen object is looking up to you. This type of specific angle is called the angle of elevation. They are both different angles so we can call them x and y.
How to Find the Angle of Depression?
To find the angle of depression, you need to understand the trigonometric ratios called sin, cos, and tan. These ratios will help you to identify the angle of depression.
We have to use the angle as it is the most important part to find the exact calculation. Not to mention, you have to look through different angles as well. For example, consider a pilot landing a plane, his height is quite different from a person standing 3 ft. from an object. People who are in watchtowers or a bird flying have a different angle. So, trigonometric ratios help us to identify how you can solve these angles to get the right answer. The above-mentioned are very common mathematical problems that we discuss in our daily life. The better the angle is the better are the results.
The formula here will be:
Sine x = Opposite angle/hyp
Cos x = Adjacent angle/hyp
Tan x = Opposite angle/ adjacent angle
The main ratio that we need to find is called the Respiratory Depression is tangent which you can find with the last formula. But, factors like location, height, and distance are part which one needs to observe before calculating the angle of depression.
Materials That You May Require Practically Finding out the Angle of Depression:
If you are curious and want to know more about the angle of depression, these are some things that may help you in finding better results.
- A paper, pencil and a scientific calculator
- Strings by which you can draw an imaginary line for the angle
- Measuring tape
- Protractor to find out the correct angle
- And, if possible a partner would be best that can help you find out the right angle.
Instructions:
- Place an object on which you can look and if you have a partner that can help you make sure that the object is reachable for him/her as well.
- You must stand still and look towards the object while the other person can use the measuring tape to find out the distance between you and the object placed. These measurements must be noted for the right answer.
- You need to measure the height as well if you are looking on the ground or above the object. Both are different heights and these measurements are important for calculation.
- Now you can use the formula above to find out both angles of depression and elevation.
- Now, hold the string to your eyes height and let the partner measure as the string forms the triangle which is the hypotenuse by which you can measure your angles.
- In the end, use the protractor to find out whether your answer matches the actual angle. If it does, then your procedure was right.
