Scientists measure the depths of lunar craters by measuring the shadow length cast by the edge of the crater on photographs. The length of the shadow cast by the edge of the moltke crater is about 606m, given to the nearest metre. The sun's angle of elevation "at the time the photograph was taken" is 65 degrees. Find the depth of the crater. State your answer rounded to the nearest metre.
+36916 The shadow length is the 'base' leg of a right triangle.
the angle between 'base' and the hypotenuse is 65 degrees
The Tan of the 65 degree angle = opp / adj = height / base (height and depth are the same in this example)
tan 65 = height / base
base tan 65 = height = 606*tan(65) = 606*tan(65) = 1299.57119382906 ~~ 1300 m
+36916 The shadow length is the 'base' leg of a right triangle.
the angle between 'base' and the hypotenuse is 65 degrees
The Tan of the 65 degree angle = opp / adj = height / base (height and depth are the same in this example)
tan 65 = height / base
base tan 65 = height = 606*tan(65) = 606*tan(65) = 1299.57119382906 ~~ 1300 m
