Fundamentals of Surveying (FS) Practice Exam

What type of measurements may vary due to the use of modern equipment and systematic errors?

1. Historical measurements

2. GPS measurements

3. Tidal measurements

4. Atmospheric measurements

The correct answer is: Historical measurements

In the context of surveying and measurements, the correct answer pertains to the nature of historical measurements. Modern equipment often utilizes advanced technologies and methodologies that can significantly enhance accuracy and precision compared to historical techniques. Historical measurements were taken using tools and methods that did not account for many systematic errors now recognized and corrected through advancements in technology. GPS measurements, while they can be influenced by various factors including satellite positioning and atmospheric conditions, typically have a level of precision and systemic error correction that historical methods lacked, making them more reliable in contemporary settings. Tidal measurements are usually conducted with consistent methods that can include correction factors for systematic errors but are not as inherently flawed as historical techniques. Atmospheric measurements can be affected by changing conditions and can have their own systematic errors, but these are often accounted for in contemporary measurement processes. Thus, historical measurements stand out because they were not equipped with the modern understanding of accuracy and error correction, leading to greater variability when compared to modern measurements.