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← HistoryWhich mechanism caused inaccuracies in medieval astrolabes made from debased metal alloys?
A)Thermal expansion warping the plate✓
B)Magnetic interference with markings
C)Clockwork slippage impacting angles
D)Lens refraction distorting star positions
💡 Explanation
When using debased alloys, increased thermal expansion occurs because the metals composing the alloy have varied expansion coefficients, differential dilation across the instrument causing warping. Therefore the plate warps, losing correct calibration rather than magnetic issues, gear slippage (they are not clockwork devices), or lenses (astrolabes were not lenses).
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