World Geodetic System

High school (ages 12+)
Geography

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/world-geodetic-system

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the defines a global reference frame?Establishes a consistent, three-dimensional coordinate system for the entire Earth
2. What is the underpins GPS technology?The accuracy of GPS relies directly on the WGS 84 standard
3. How does WGS 84 help GPS find our location?WGS 84 is the version we use today. It gives GPS satellites a common language so they can send your phone the right location.
4. Why do scientists use a special shape called an ellipsoid for Earth?Scientists use an ellipsoid because the Earth is not a perfect ball. The ellipsoid is a smooth shape that is close to the real Earth and makes calculations easier.

Geodetic Datum: A reference system that defines the size and shape of the Earth and the origin and orientation of the coordinate system used to map it.
Ellipsoid of Revolution: A mathematical model of the Earth's shape, created by rotating an ellipse around its minor axis, approximating a flattened sphere.
Earth-Centered, Earth-Fixed (ECEF): A Cartesian coordinate system where the origin is at the Earth's center of mass, and the axes rotate with the Earth.
Geoid: The equipotential surface of the Earth's gravity field that best fits, in a least-squares sense, global mean sea level.