Introduction to Surveying Flashcards

Surveyors use this for fixed points of reference that are known to be elevated above or below a specific datum.

Answer: A benchmark

A benchmark is the standard surveying term for a permanent fixed point of known elevation relative to a datum, used as a reference. 'Survey mark' and 'reference tag' are vaguer markers not tied specifically to a known elevation, and 'P.O.R' is not the established term for an elevation reference point.

_______________________ surveying works with small-scale regions and makes the assumption that the earth's surface is a plane, meaning that no adjustments for the curvature of the earth are required.

Answer: Plane

Plane surveying covers small areas and assumes the earth's surface is flat, so no curvature corrections are made. Geodetic surveying is the opposite—it accounts for curvature over large areas—while GPS and topographic refer to methods and feature mapping rather than this flat-earth assumption.

Determining the dimensions and form of the earth is the focus of __________________ surveying. Large areas, such as a state or county, would be surveyed using this type.

Answer: Geodetic

Geodetic surveying focuses on determining the size and shape of the earth and is used for very large areas like states or counties, where curvature matters. Plane surveying ignores curvature and suits only small areas, while topographic and GPS describe what is mapped or the tool used, not the large-scale, curvature-accounting purpose.

The measurement and mapping of the earth's physical features—both natural and man-made—are the focus of __________________________ surveys.

Answer: Topographic

Topographic surveys measure and map the physical features of the land—both natural (rivers, hills) and man-made (roads, buildings). Plane and geodetic refer to whether curvature is considered, and GPS is a positioning technology, so none of them specifically mean mapping the land's physical features.

Which two purposes does surveying serve?

Answer: To determine the existing relative horizontal and vertical positions and to establish marks to control construction or to indicate land boundaries

Surveying serves two core purposes: determining the existing relative horizontal and vertical positions of points, and establishing marks to control construction or indicate land boundaries. The other options describe only partial or specific tasks (acreage, latitude/longitude, shape and elevation) rather than these two fundamental functions.

Which kind of survey is shown in the image?

Answer: Topographic

A map showing contour lines plus natural and man-made features like rivers, roads, and buildings is a topographic survey. Dimensional is not a standard survey type, while geodetic (large-scale, curvature-based) and plane (flat-assumption) describe scale and method, not the feature-mapping shown in the image.

A line that is perpendicular to the direction of gravity and tangential to a level line at a certain location is called a _______________________________ line.

Answer: Horizontal

A horizontal line is defined as one perpendicular to the direction of gravity and tangent to a level line at a given point. A vertical line runs along the direction of gravity (the opposite), and 'parallel' and 'axis' are not the terms used for this gravity-perpendicular, tangent line.

What does the imaginary line that crosses the crosshairs of the leveling instrument mean?

Answer: Line of collimation

The line of collimation is the imaginary line of sight passing through the crosshairs and the optical center of the leveling instrument's telescope. The other options ('line axis point', 'line point axis', 'line of intersection') are not the recognized surveying term for this line of sight.

_______________________ surveying works with small-scale regions and makes the assumption that the earth's surface is a plane, meaning that no adjustments for the curvature of the earth are required.

Answer: Plane

Plane surveying treats the earth's surface as flat and is used for small areas where curvature can be ignored. Geodetic accounts for curvature over large areas, while GPS and topographic refer to a positioning technology and feature mapping rather than the flat-plane assumption described.

What kind of surveying tool is that in the photo?

Answer: Rotating laser detector

A rotating laser detector (receiver) is the accessory that locates the spinning laser beam to find precise level or grade. A 'level indicator', 'stationary receiver', and 'battery pack' are not the term for the device that detects the rotating laser's plane.

Which surveying instrument is that in the picture?

Answer: Rotating laser Assembly

A rotating laser assembly is the main unit that spins its laser diode to project a continuous level plane of light. A receiver only detects the beam, a 'stationary laser' would not sweep a plane, and 'receiver damp' is not a real instrument, so the assembly is the emitting device shown.