Gunter’s chain is used for
A. restraining bulls.
B. measuring distances.
C. measuring slope of farmland.
D. determining depth of soil moisture.
The correct answer and explanation is:
The correct answer is B. measuring distances.
Gunter’s chain is a tool used primarily for measuring distances, especially in land surveying. It was introduced in the 17th century by the English mathematician and surveyor Edmund Gunter. The chain is 66 feet long, and it is divided into 100 links, with each link measuring 7.92 inches. This specific length of chain became a standard for measuring land and creating maps.
The primary purpose of Gunter’s chain was to measure land areas accurately in fields and estates, particularly in agricultural or surveying contexts. A land surveyor would use the chain to measure linear distances over large tracts of land. Since it was standardized and could be easily carried, the Gunter’s chain was a reliable instrument before the advent of more modern tools like the odometer or laser rangefinders.
In practice, the chain was used to mark out distances in acres and other units of land measurement. It was a crucial tool for determining land ownership, parcel divisions, and establishing boundaries. The Gunter’s chain was often employed in mapping the land for legal purposes, such as setting the size of plots for sale or determining areas for farming.
While modern technology has mostly replaced the Gunter’s chain, its influence is still seen in the way distances are measured in traditional units, like chains and rods, in land measurement. For example, the acre, which is a unit used for land area, is defined as 43,560 square feet, and it is based on the dimensions of a Gunter’s chain.