A clinometer is used to measure the angle of elevation in a right triangle. If you click on the image below, you will see an enlarged picture of what it will look like. Follow the directions below to create one of these.

Materials needed

· Protractor

· 20 cm. (about 8 inches) of string

· Weight- such as a sinker, paper clips or small piece of clay

· Straw

· Clear Tape

Directions

1. Get the straw and tape it to the straight edge of the protractor that you made above.

2. With your pen or pencil, poke a hole through the center of the protractor where it meets the straw. (Click here if you are not sure about where to do this.) Push the string through the hole and tie a large knot on the other side so it won't pull through.

3. Tie your weight to the other end of the string.

Use:

1. Hold the edge of the clinometer parallel to the incline of the slide.
2. read the angle where the string crosses the protractor
3. Subtract this reading from 90° to find the angle of the slide