Which one is the CORRECT statement?
Correct Answer:
C. Length of Gunter's chain is 66 ft.
🔗 Understanding Surveying Chains
Based on standard definitions, the correct statement is that the length of a Gunter's chain is 66 ft. Historically, different types of surveying chains were developed with specific lengths suited for their intended purpose. Knowing these standard lengths is essential for land surveying and interpreting historical plans.
For example, a Gunter's chain is 66 feet long, which is convenient because 10 square chains equal one acre.
Important Note: The provided explanation mentions that in a revised answer key, the official commission invalidated this question, considering none of the options to be definitively correct, likely due to ambiguity or specific contexts not addressed in the question.
📋 Types of Surveying Chains
Here are the standard lengths and specifications for common types of surveying chains:
- Engineer's Chain: 100 feet long, with 100 links.
- Gunter's Chain (or Surveyor's Chain): 66 feet long, with 100 links.
- Revenue Chain (or Cadastral Chain): 33 feet long, with 16 links. It is typically used for land records and agricultural surveys.
- Metric Chains (I.S. 1492-1970): Come in various lengths like 5m, 10m, 20m, and 30m. A 30m chain has 150 links, and a 20m chain has 100 links.
- Steel Band Chain: A more modern alternative without links, typically 20m or 30m long.
💡 Study Tips
- Memorize Key Lengths: The lengths of Gunter's (66 ft), Engineer's (100 ft), and Revenue (33 ft) chains are common facts in surveying exams.
- Gunter's Chain and Acres: Connect the 66 ft length of a Gunter's chain to land measurement, where 10 square chains = 1 acre. This makes it easier to remember.
- Pay Attention to Notes: Always look for notes about revised answers or discrepancies in questions, as they highlight common points of confusion or error.