CST Level 1 Land Surveyor Certification Practice

What is the purpose of a clinometer?

1. To measure elevation angles or slopes

2. To calculate area on maps

3. To determine magnetic declination

4. To assist in leveling construction sites

The correct answer is: To measure elevation angles or slopes

A clinometer is specifically designed to measure angles of elevation and slopes, making it an essential tool in various fields, including land surveying, forestry, and geology. When using a clinometer, a surveyor can determine how steep a slope is or the height of a distant object by measuring the angle from their position to that object or elevation. This function is particularly useful when assessing terrain features or calculating the height of trees and buildings without direct measurement. Other tools, while critical in their own domains, serve different purposes. For instance, measuring area on maps typically involves the use of planimeters or GIS software rather than a clinometer. Magnetic declination is determined with a compass or specialized instruments designed for that purpose, not through a clinometer. Similarly, leveling construction sites is most effectively achieved with levels or laser systems designed for precise horizontal measurements, rather than an instrument primarily focused on angle measurement. Thus, while all these instruments are important in land surveying and related fields, the clinometer's primary purpose is accurately measuring elevation angles and slopes.