What is the difference between height and elevation?
As far as I know, height is an object's distance from the immediate ground (the distance of the top of a flagpole from the ground below) whereas elevation is the height of an object or area of land above sea level.
Height and elevation are related concepts but have distinct meanings.
Height refers to the vertical distance from the bottom to the top of an object, such as a person, building, or mountain. It is generally measured from a fixed reference point, which could be the ground level or another designated point. Height is commonly used to describe the physical dimensions or stature of an object or person.
Elevation, on the other hand, specifically refers to the height of a location above sea level or another reference point. It is used to describe the vertical position of a place in relation to a global reference point, typically the Earth's mean sea level. Elevation is often used in geography, cartography, aviation, and other fields that require precise measurements of the earth's surface.
To get the difference between height and elevation, you can consider the following steps:
1. Understand the concepts: Familiarize yourself with the definitions provided above to grasp the basic differences between height and elevation.
2. Contextualize the question: Determine the specific context in which the terms are being used. For example, are you discussing a person's physical dimensions or a location's position on the Earth's surface?
3. Consider the reference point: Determine whether the measurement is being taken from a fixed reference point, such as the ground level or mean sea level. This will help you differentiate between height and elevation.
4. Apply measurement units: Note that height can often be measured in feet, meters, or other units, while elevation is commonly measured in terms of distance above or below sea level.
By following these steps, you will be able to understand and explain the difference between height and elevation based on the specific context and reference points involved.