Question 1890Navigation General
70% to passWhat defines a great circle?
A
The intersection of a plane passing through the center of a sphere.
B
A curved line drawn on a Mercator Chart
C
A course line that inscribes a loxodromic curve
D
The smallest circle that can be drawn on the face of a sphere
AI Explanation
The correct answer is A) The intersection of a plane passing through the center of a sphere. A great circle is defined as the intersection of a plane passing through the center of a sphere. This is the largest possible circle that can be drawn on the surface of a sphere. Great circles represent the shortest distance between any two points on the sphere, making them important for navigation. The other options are incorrect because: B) is describing a rhumb line or loxodromic curve, C) is not the definition of a great circle, and D) is describing the smallest possible circle on a sphere, which is not the definition of a great circle.
Related Questions
Q1335:The dry-bulb temperature is 78°F and the wet-bulb temperature is 62°F. What is t...
Q121:In waters where the cardinal system is used you would expect to find danger ____...
Q806:What is a nonadjustable error of the sextant?
Q1826:You take a bearing of 043° and 169° of two objects. What bearing of a third obje...
Q888:Your ARPA has been tracking a target and has generated the targets course and sp...
Ready to test your knowledge?
Take a Navigation General Practice ExamOfficial Resources
Want to practice with timed exams?
Download Coast Guard Exams for the full exam experience.
App Store