Weather and power permitting, this laboratory will explore latitude and longitude.
The laboratory will also look for a relationship between distance in minutes along line of latitude and distance in meters.Weather and power permitting, this laboratory will explore latitude and longitude.
The laboratory will also look for a relationship between distance in minutes along line of latitude and distance in meters.
There exists a mathematical relationship between minutes of latitude, longitude and linear metric measures.
In part one we will work outside. While outside we will use global positioning satellite (GPS) receivers to walk along a line of latitude. Lines of latitude run east - west. We will walk along a line latitude heading due west. The start and end longitude will be recorded using a GPS unit. We will also use the GPS to keep track of the number of meters we walk. A Rolatape surveyor's wheel will be used to provide a second measure of the distance in meters. If we have more than one GPS, then we will use the extra GPS units to provide additional distance in meter measurements.
Use the following tables to gather data.
| Line of latitude walked | Starting longitude | Ending longitude | Difference in minutes along the line of latitude |
|---|---|---|---|
| Instrument | Distance/meters |
|---|---|
| Bushnell Onix 200 | |
| Garmin etrex | |
| Rolatape 300 surveyors wheel | |
| Google Earth ruler (part two) | |
| Mean distance in meters: |
In part two, power and Internet permitting, we will learn to use Google Earth to measure the same distance we walked. Google Earth has a ruler feature that can measure in meters.
When you first open Google Earth on Linux there is a display glitch. Shrink the Google Earth window from the lower-right hand corner to correct this problem.
Choose the Options item on the Tools menu.
On the Options menu, in the Show Lat/Long section, click on the radio button to select Degrees, Decimal minutes. This will display latitude and longitude in decimal minutes in Google Earth, which will concur with the set up of the GPS units.
Above the image seen in Google Earth is a blue ruler button, seen above on the right. Click on the ruler button. In the ruler dialog box changes the units to meters. Uncheck the Mouse Navigation box to make it easier to position your ruler.
Drag the ruler from the start latitude/longitude along a line of longitude to the end longitude based on the data from the GPS units. Write down the distance in meters from the ruler.
Divide the mean distance in meters by the difference in minutes. How many meters per minute?
Wrap up with a conclusion that discusses whether there is a mathematical relationship between minutes along a line of latitude and the metric system. Discuss which way on campus lines of latitude run. Discuss which direction lines of longitude run on the campus. Write well. Grammar, Vocabulary, Organization, and Cohesion will still be marked.