The first nearly correct measurement of the Earth's circumference was made by ________.
A) Newton
B) Einstein
C) Eratosthenes
D) Columbus
E) Plato

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Eratosthenes accurately calculated the Earth's circumference in the 3rd century BC by measuring the angle of the sun's rays at two different locations and using geometry to determine the distance between them. Newton and Einstein were famous physicists who made groundbreaking discoveries in the field of physics, but did not make significant contributions to the measurement of the Earth's circumference. Columbus and Plato also did not make noteworthy measurements of the Earth's circumference.

The First Nearly Correct Measurement of the Earth's Circumference Was