1.

2 TYPES OF GEODESY

Geometrical geodesy
Physical geodesy

2. DIFFERENCE BETWEEN TOPOGRAPHIC, GEOID AND ELLIPSOID WITH DIAGRAM

TOPOGRAPHIC
Topographic is an actual surface of the earth where all measurements and
observations are carried out. Due to the large vertical variations of the land
masses, the surface is uneven and undulating, which is mean it is not
uniform. Topographic are not suitable for exact mathematical computations.

GEOID
Geoid know as reference surface for height systems and closely
represents the figure of the earth and it is also an equipotential surface
which is means the potential gravity is the same at every point on its
surface. Geoid also assumed closely approximates the mean sea level

ELLIPSOID
Ellipsoid comes from the word "ellipse," which is simply a generalization of a circle.
Ellipsoids are generalizations of spheres. The Earth is not a true sphere, it is an
ellipsoid, as Earth is slightly wider than it is tall. Although other models exist, the ellipsoid
is the best fit to Earth's true shape.

3. DEFINITION OF GEODESY

Geodesy is the science concerned with the exact positioning of points on the surface of
the earth. In other words, Geodesy is the study of the size and shape of the earth, the
measurement of the position and motion of point on the earth s surface and
configuration of the area of large portions of the earths surface.

4. FORMULA FOR FLATTENING AND ECCENTRICITY

Flattening, f

f=

ab
a

First eccentricity, e

e =

a b
=2 f f
a

Second eccentricity, e

e =

a b
b

Where, a is semi-major axis and b semi-minor axis