1. What is Angle of Depression?

The angle of depression is the angle between the horizontal line and the line of sight to an object below the horizontal line. It is widely used in navigation, architecture, and engineering.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the trigonometric formula:

Where:

• \( \text{Height} \) — Vertical distance from observer to object (meters)
• \( \text{Distance} \) — Horizontal distance from observer to object (meters)
• \( \arctan \) — Inverse tangent function

Explanation: The calculator first computes the angle in radians using the arctangent function, then converts it to degrees for easier interpretation.

3. Applications of Angle of Depression

Details: Angle of depression calculations are essential in aviation (approach angles), architecture (building sight lines), surveying, and even in sports like golf or archery.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the height (vertical distance) and horizontal distance in meters. Both values must be positive numbers. The calculator will provide results in both degrees and radians.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What's the difference between angle of depression and angle of elevation?
A: Angle of depression looks downward from horizontal, while angle of elevation looks upward. They're equal in magnitude when observing the same two points.

Q2: Can the angle of depression be more than 90°?
A: No, the angle of depression is always between 0° and 90° since it's measured from the horizontal downward.

Q3: How accurate is this calculator?
A: The calculator provides precise results based on trigonometric functions, with results rounded to 2 decimal places for degrees and 4 for radians.

Q4: What units should I use?
A: The calculator uses meters, but any consistent unit will work (feet, etc.) as long as both height and distance use the same unit.

Q5: Can I calculate height or distance if I know the angle?
A: Yes, you can rearrange the formula: Height = Distance × tan(θ) or Distance = Height / tan(θ).