CONTENTS

→ OPTICAL SQUARE

→ PRINCIPLE

→ COMPONENTS

→ FUNCTION OF COMPONENT PARTS

→ USES

→ APPLICATION
A very simple geodetic instrument that is used to lay off
angles that are multiples of 90 degree or of 45 degree.
In a prism square, the direction of a ray originating from
the flag on the right is changed by 90° after refraction
and internal reflection.To lay off the angle by which the
direction of the ray is changed, a second flag is set up in
such a way that, when it is seen over the instrument, it is
exactly above the image of the first flag in the
instrument.
Optical squares are used to
solve geometric problems on a
terrain and to carry out plane
surveys.
If there are two plain mirrors whose
reflecting surface are inclind at a given
angle,with each other and if a ray of
light in a plane perpendicular to the
planes of both the mirrors is reflected
successively from both,it under-goes a
deviation of twice the angle between
the reflecting surface.
1.Optical square:-It
consists of a circular metal
box about 5cm in diameter
and 1.25 cm in deep.

2.Indian optical
square:-It is a brash
wedge shaped hollow box
of 5cm sides and 3cm deep
with a handle 7.2cm long.
Optical square :-
• To find the foot of a perpendicular to the chain
line.
• To set out a perpendicular to a chain line.
Indian optical square:-
• Taking offsets to objects from the chain line.
• Setting out right angles at given point on a chain
line.
• The optical square
uses a pentaprism
to reflect and
refract a beam or
sighting 90
degrees, it is used
in pairs in
surveying and in a
singular block in
metrology.