How Can I Calculate My Target's Distance?

  • Context: High School 
  • Thread starter Thread starter BeginnerPal
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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around methods to calculate the distance to a small building from a fixed point in a flat landscape. Participants explore various practical approaches, including both experimental and theoretical methods.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Technical explanation, Conceptual clarification, Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests driving a car at a fixed speed and measuring the time taken to apply the formula Distance = Velocity x Time, noting the need for unit conversion.
  • Another participant proposes using a laser range finder for distance measurement.
  • Triangulation is mentioned as a potential method for determining distance.
  • Questions arise about the height of the building, indicating that it may affect distance calculations.
  • Radar is suggested as a possible tool for measuring distance.
  • Using a topographical map that includes the building is proposed as a method for distance estimation.
  • A parallax rangefinder is mentioned as another option for measuring distance.
  • One participant discusses using the focal length of a camera's telephoto lens to calculate distance based on the size of the image on film.
  • A later post reiterates the driving method but suggests using the car's odometer instead of measuring time and speed.
  • Another idea involves using mirror flashing Morse code to communicate GPS coordinates with someone at the building.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants present multiple competing views and methods for calculating distance, with no consensus on a single approach. Some methods are more experimental while others are theoretical, indicating a variety of perspectives on the problem.

Contextual Notes

Some methods depend on specific assumptions, such as the height of the building, which is not known. The discussion includes various tools and techniques that may have limitations based on their application or the conditions of the environment.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be of interest to individuals exploring practical physics applications, distance measurement techniques, or those involved in experimental design in flat landscapes.

BeginnerPal
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I find applicable physics that we can experiment practically is very interesting.

Assume I'm in a flat landscape, far away there is a small building. How can i know the distance to that small building from where i stand? I need a practical achievable solution...

My first suggestion is:

1. Drive a car at a certain fixed speed from the starting point let's say the speed is 40 km/h to the end/target location.

2. We have to track the time from starting point to the end point.

3. By the time we reach the end point. We apply the following formula:
Distance = Velocity/Time ... Obviously unit conversion has to be involved in
someway or another.

My second suggestion is:

Use a good laser range finder.

The distance doesn't have to be perfectly accurate. Are my suggestions O.K? Do you have
any other ideas?

Thanks
 
Last edited:
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Triangulate.
 
Do you know the height of the building?
 
Radar?
 
Topographical map that shows the building?
 
A parallax rangefinder?
 
Knowing the focal length of the camera's telephoto lens (exactly), calculate from the size of the image on the film.
 
BeginnerPal said:
My first suggestion is:

1. Drive a car at a certain fixed speed from the starting point let's say the speed is 40 km/h to the end/target location.

2. We have to track the time from starting point to the end point.

3. By the time we reach the end point. We apply the following formula:
Distance = Velocity/Time ... Obviously unit conversion has to be involved in
someway or another.
If you're going to drive a car to the building, just use the odometer. Forget about maintaining a known, uniform speed and measuring the time.
 
Use mirror flashing Morse code with someone in the building, to have them relay their GPS coordinates to you, and subtract from yours.
 
  • #10
Good solutions. For those who asked the height of the building, height is not known just assume the location is place where boundary lines was drawn in square to represent the building virtually. Thanks for all of your responses.
 

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