How Abu Rayhan al-Biruni, The Persian mathematician estimated the circumference of the Earth скачать в хорошем качестве

How Abu Rayhan al-Biruni, The Persian mathematician estimated the circumference of the Earth

Abu Rayhan al-Biruni, a Persian scholar from the 11th century, calculated the Earth’s radius using a method that involved trigonometry and astronomy. He devised a method based on the angle of elevation of a mountain. Here’s a simplified explanation of his method: 1. Choose a mountain that you can see from a known distance. Al-Biruni used a mountain in what is now Pakistan. 2. Measure the horizontal distance from your location to the base of the mountain. This can be done accurately using simple geometry and measurement techniques. 3. Measure the angle of elevation from your location to the top of the mountain using an astrolabe or other appropriate instruments. 4. Using trigonometry, you can calculate the Earth’s radius using the following formula: Earth’s Radius (R) = Distance to the mountain (d) / tan(angle of elevation) By knowing the distance to the mountain and the angle of elevation, al-Biruni was able to estimate the Earth’s radius. His method was quite innovative for his time and contributed to our understanding of the Earth’s dimensions. Keep in mind that the accuracy of his calculation depended on the precision of his measurements and instruments, which were limited compared to modern technology.