Question

Theodolite is an instrument used by:
(A) Surveyors
(B) Cartographers
(C) Navigators
(D) Pilots

Answer 1

Hint: Theodolite is an instrument which is used for measuring angle between two visible points in a plane. It can very accurately measure the horizontal and the vertical angle between these two points. We will now see in detail its construction, its uses and how it is used. Once we have a greater idea of theodolite, we will be able to comment who are its prime users.

Complete step-by-step answer:
A theodolite is an instrument which has a telescope as its central component and the whole instrument built around it. In this telescope, there are mirrors between the objective lens and the eyepiece to magnify our point objects according to our requirements. Then, it has an index frame which consists of two arms. One is used to lock the telescope in a vertical direction, according to our need and then the other arm measures the angle. Then there are some other parts like upper head, lower head, levelling head, shifting head, plate level and tripod which have their own respective uses.
Now, an instrument like a theodolite has no use to a pilot, as it is used for measuring angles between two visible points at ground level without any disturbance in the position of theodolite. The same reasoning is true for navigators too.
For a cartographer, that is, someone who designs maps, an instrument of very little scale is of no use, so even they do not use it.
Now, a surveyor surveys a piece of land. Its level with the surrounding areas, is the land even or not, etc. So, a surveyor is the person who has the best use of a theodolite.

So, the correct answer is “Option A”.

Note: We have often seen an instrument during the construction of a road which stands on a tripod and is being used at several point-places at the same time, this is a theodolite. No commercial roads are constructed without proper leveling and this leveling is always done using a theodolite.