NCCER Millwright Practice Exam

The length of the distance to be measured determines the number of what to be used?

1. Instruments

2. Prisms

3. Tools

4. Measurements

The correct answer is: Prisms

The correct answer is based on the idea that when measuring longer distances, more prisms are typically involved to achieve accurate readings. In surveying and construction tasks, prisms act as reflectors for laser measurement equipment. Their number often increases with the length of the distance being measured, as more prisms can help in maintaining accuracy by allowing for multiple reference points along the measurement path. Using additional prisms can help to eliminate errors caused by atmospheric conditions, the curvature of the Earth, or obstacles in the line of sight. As distances increase, the likelihood of encountering such issues also rises, necessitating the use of more prisms for precision measurement. The other options focus on different aspects of measurement. Instruments may refer to the equipment used, but the length does not directly dictate their quantity in the same manner. Tools could refer generally to any devices used for measurement, while measurements themselves refer to the act of measuring rather than the components involved in the process.