1. What is the Angle of Depression?

Definition: The angle of depression is the angle between the horizontal line of sight and the line of sight down to an object.

Purpose: This calculation is essential in fields like surveying, navigation, architecture, and physics for determining heights and distances.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the tangent trigonometric function:

Where:

• \( \theta \) — Angle of depression (degrees)
• opposite — Vertical distance between observer and object (m)
• adjacent — Horizontal distance between observer and object (m)

Explanation: The calculator finds the inverse tangent (arctangent) of the ratio between the opposite and adjacent sides.

3. Importance of Angle of Depression Calculation

Details: Accurate angle measurement is crucial for construction projects, aviation, maritime navigation, and any scenario requiring precise angular measurements.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the vertical distance (opposite side) and horizontal distance (adjacent side) in meters. Both values must be positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: How is angle of depression different from angle of elevation?
A: Angle of depression looks downward from the horizontal, while angle of elevation looks upward. Both use the same trigonometric principles.

Q2: What units should I use for the measurements?
A: The calculator uses meters, but any consistent unit will work as long as both measurements use the same unit.

Q3: What's the valid range for the angle of depression?
A: The angle of depression ranges from 0° (looking straight ahead) to 90° (looking straight down), though practical applications typically use smaller angles.

Q4: Can I use this for very small angles?
A: Yes, but measurement accuracy becomes increasingly important for small angles as small distance errors can create large angle variations.

Q5: How accurate is this calculation?
A: The calculation is mathematically precise, but accuracy depends on the precision of your input measurements.