Question 1364Navigation General

The correct answer is C) great circle. The shortest distance between any two points on the earth's surface is defined by a great circle, which is the intersection of the earth's surface with a plane passing through the center of the earth and the two points. Great circles represent the shortest path between any two points on the earth's surface. The other options are incorrect: A) Rhumb line is a line of constant bearing, which does not represent the shortest distance. B) Hyperbola is a conic section, which is not relevant to defining the shortest distance on the earth's surface. D) Small circle is a circle on the earth's surface that does not pass through the center of the earth, and therefore does not represent the shortest distance.