A vertical datum maps points to geopotential.

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Study for the Geodesy Refresher Exam. Prepare with multiple choice questions, hints, and explanations. Ace your exam with confidence!

Multiple Choice

A vertical datum maps points to geopotential.

Explanation:
Vertical datums define height by tying it to a surface of constant gravity potential, so each point is mapped to a geopotential value. This makes elevations meaningful in terms of the Earth’s gravity field, typically using the geoid as the reference surface. In practice, heights are differences in geopotential between a point and that reference, not just geometric distances above a plane. The other ideas relate to horizontal positioning or general uses, but the defining feature of a vertical datum is this mapping to geopotential.

Vertical datums define height by tying it to a surface of constant gravity potential, so each point is mapped to a geopotential value. This makes elevations meaningful in terms of the Earth’s gravity field, typically using the geoid as the reference surface. In practice, heights are differences in geopotential between a point and that reference, not just geometric distances above a plane. The other ideas relate to horizontal positioning or general uses, but the defining feature of a vertical datum is this mapping to geopotential.

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