NCEES Fundamentals of Surveying (FS) Practice Exam 2025 – The Complete All-in-One Guide to Exam Mastery!

The deviation in measurement that occurs due to changing environmental conditions is classified as a systematic error. Systematic errors are consistent and predictable deviations that arise from factors such as temperature, humidity, pressure, and instrument calibration. These errors can affect the accuracy of measurements in a consistent manner because they stem from external influences that can change over time, yet their impact on measurements is not random.

For instance, if a survey instrument is affected by temperature changes, the measurements taken will reflect this influence consistently rather than randomly altering from one measurement to the next. Understanding that systematic errors relate to the influence of controlled, environmental, or instrument-related factors helps in designing better measurement procedures and adjustments to improve accuracy.

Other types of errors, such as random errors, are unpredictable and vary with each measurement, while human errors typically involve mistakes in operation or judgment. Permanent errors would imply a constant bias in the measurements, which does not necessarily correlate with the variability introduced by changing environmental conditions. Thus, recognizing systematic errors is crucial for effective error management in surveying practices.