Question 614Navigation General70% to pass
Variation is the angular measurement between what two points?
AI Explanation
The correct answer is B) magnetic meridian and the geographic meridian.
Variation is the angular measurement between the magnetic meridian (the direction indicated by the compass) and the geographic meridian (the direction of true north). This variation is caused by the offset between the earth's geographic and magnetic north poles, and it must be accounted for when navigating using a compass.
The other answer choices are incorrect because they do not accurately describe what variation measures. Option A refers to the vessel's heading, option C refers to compass north and true north, and option D refers to compass north and magnetic north - none of which are the definition of variation.
Related Questions
#612 What are the quadrantal spheres used for? #613 What do the soft iron spheres mounted on arms on the binnacle compensate for? #615 Which of the following compensates for errors introduced when a vessel heels over? #616 Which of the following describes the difference between true heading and magnetic heading? #617 The vertical component of the Earth's magnetic field causes induced magnetism in vertical soft iron. This changes with latitude. What corrects for this coefficient of the deviation?