CST Level 1 Land Surveyor Certification Practice

Which of the following best describes the effect of temperature change on measurement instruments?

1. It adds random error

2. It has no effect on measurements

3. It introduces systematic error

4. It only affects GPS measurements

The correct answer is: It introduces systematic error

Temperature changes can significantly impact measurement instruments, leading to systematic errors. Systematic errors are consistent, repeatable inaccuracies that occur in the same direction every time a measurement is taken. When temperature fluctuates, it can cause materials within the instruments—such as metal components, which expand or contract with temperature changes—to alter in size or shape. This change might affect measurements taken with instruments like theodolites, levels, and tape measures, leading to consistent miscalculations if the temperature variations are not accounted for. For instance, if a metal tape measure expands in hot temperatures, it will yield longer measurements if not corrected for thermal expansion. Since this type of error is predictable and directly related to temperature changes, it's classified as a systematic error rather than a random error, which would be more erratic and less predictable. Hence, understanding and compensating for temperature effects is crucial for maintaining the accuracy of measurements in surveying, which is why this description is the most accurate choice.