Question 1885Navigation General70% to pass
When is the rhumb line distance the same as the great circle distance?
AI Explanation
The correct answer is D) Course 180°T when you cross the equator.
This is because when a rhumb line course crosses the equator (latitude 0°), the rhumb line distance is the same as the great circle distance. This is because the curvature of the Earth is minimized at the equator, and the shortest distance between two points on the surface of the Earth is a straight line, which is the great circle. Therefore, the rhumb line, which is a line of constant bearing, coincides with the great circle at the equator.
The other options are incorrect because A) in high latitudes, the rhumb line and great circle can differ significantly, and B) in low latitudes, the rhumb line is still not the same as the great circle. C) is also incorrect, as the rhumb line distance can be either longer or shorter than the great circle distance, depending on the course and location.
Related Questions
#1883 What is NOT an advantage of the rhumb line track over a great circle track? #1884 What is the major advantage of a rhumb line track? #1886 In which voyage, between two points, is the rhumb line distance NOT approximately the same as the great circle distance? #1887 What is a characteristic of a rhumb line? #1888 A great circle track provides the maximum saving in distance on _______________.