A rhumb line is also known as which term?

Study for the Land Surveyor in Training Test. Study with flashcards and multiple choice questions, each question has hints and explanations. Get ready for your exam!

Multiple Choice

A rhumb line is also known as which term?

Explanation:
A rhumb line is a path of constant bearing on the Earth's surface, which means the heading you maintain stays the same as you travel. The term for this same curve is a loxodrome. On a globe, a rhumb line crosses every meridian at the same angle, and on a Mercator projection it appears as a straight line, simplifying navigation by maintaining a steady compass direction. This is different from a geodesic or great circle, which is the shortest distance between two points on a sphere but does not maintain a constant bearing. A meridian is simply a line of longitude. So the correct term that names the same concept as a rhumb line is loxodrome.

A rhumb line is a path of constant bearing on the Earth's surface, which means the heading you maintain stays the same as you travel. The term for this same curve is a loxodrome. On a globe, a rhumb line crosses every meridian at the same angle, and on a Mercator projection it appears as a straight line, simplifying navigation by maintaining a steady compass direction. This is different from a geodesic or great circle, which is the shortest distance between two points on a sphere but does not maintain a constant bearing. A meridian is simply a line of longitude. So the correct term that names the same concept as a rhumb line is loxodrome.

Subscribe

Get the latest from Examzify

You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our privacy policy