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← HistoryWhich factor caused medieval astrolabes crafted from brass to have higher accuracy than those of wood?
A)Brass thermal expansion is more predictable✓
B)Brass reflects celestial light more clearly
C)Brass resists wear from repeated use
D)Brass cost more, guaranteeing quality craftsmanship
💡 Explanation
When astrolabes experience temperature changes, brass undergoes a known, linear thermal expansion while wood warps and swells unpredictably because its hygroscopic nature is highly variant. Therefore, predictable brass dimensions allowed precise angular measurements enhancing astrolabe accuracy, compared to wood or cost alone which don't enforce dimensional stability.
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