Hypsometer

Have you ever thought about how the height of a tower is measured? We are in doubt when it comes to the measurement of a tall structure. Of course, it can’t be determined by using a ruler or an inch of tape. Then, what is the instrument used? The name of the scale is hypsometer. However, a hypsometer takes the help of the boiling point of a liquid while measuring this physical quantity. There are three types of this instrument based on its applications: Pressure hypsometer, Laser hypsometer, and Scale hypsometer. In this article, we will understand the basic principles and hypsometer meaning. Before stepping into the further details of the topic, let’s dive into its meaning. 

Hypsometer meaning

Hypsometer is a device known to measure the height or land elevation of sea level. In addition to this, it uses the temperature at which a liquid boils to find this quantity. For this purpose, it works on two different principles, including trigonometry and atmospheric pressure. Further, a modern hypsometer uses a laser to measure the distance between the ground and top objects. This laser comes with a clinometer. They work together to determine the angle between the lines from the person observing the distance to the object. 

Hypsometer is a term taken from the Greek words husos and metron, which means “altitude metre”. Mathematicians utilise this instrument for constructing industries, buildings, towers, etc. With the use of the trigonometry formula, one can calculate altitude. 

This instrument can be used to compare the temperature of boiling of a liquid to the altitude. Mathematicians calculate angles between the top and bottom objects by using geometry. It can be best understood with an example.

Suppose a viewer is standing in front of a tall building with a hypsometer in hand. There will be multiple readings in the instrument referring to different horizontal distances. Now, the viewer calculates the horizontal distance to the tall building by using trigonometry. A distance will be set in the device in the form of an integer. The viewer then starts the device and shoots it at the building. Afterward, a reading of the height of the tall building will appear on the dial plate of the instrument. But total height should be taken from the ground. Therefore, the height of the viewer’s eyes is added to the height that appeared on the dial plate. 

Types of Hypsometers

The three types of hypsometers are as follows:

• Scale hypsometer
• Pressure hypsometer 
• Laser hypsometer 

1] Scale hypsometer – It is a device that allows you to calculate the height of an object with the help of a sighting. From the base to the top of the building, this scale hypsometer measures the distance accurately. In addition to this, it is also used to measure the angle from the observer’s eye to the top of the object. 

2] Pressure hypsometer – This instrument works in the principle of atmospheric pressure meters and contains a cylindrical vessel filled with liquid such as water; the liquid is then boiled to form water vapors. Water vapors circulate in the outer part of the instrument, whereas the inner part consists of a thermometer. Before using a pressure hypsometer, it is important to know the relationship between pressure, height, and boiling point of a liquid. 

3] Laser hypsometer – This instrument is also called an ultrasonic hypsometer. It is a rangefinder device that uses ultrasound to measure distance. The drawback is that the transmitting speed of the Waves gets affected by the air moisture and temperature. Further, no obstacles can interfere with the transmission of the waves. 

Uses of Hypsometer 

The uses of this altitude measuring device are as follows:

• The device acts as a rangefinder and calculates the horizontal distance very easily. Therefore, it is advantageous to the people who work in forests to find the altitude of trees. This type of device is called a forestry laser hypsometer. 

• It is also used for the construction of buildings and towers.

• To measure the angle between the observer and the surface of the object it is looking at. 

Conclusion  

In this article, we have discussed hypsometer meaning and its types so far. Moreover, we also learned about the uses of the hypsometer. The device is often more useful in the construction industries to determine the height. Taking atmospheric pressure into consideration, it measures the physical quantity by calculating the change in the boiling point of water. As a result, the instrument can also determine land elevations. The working principles of hypsometers are trigonometry and pressure. It can find the actual distance, height, angle, and vertical separation.