What type of measurement is affected by the low coefficient of thermal expansion of Invar tapes?

The correct choice pertains to distance measurements because Invar tapes are specifically designed to have a low coefficient of thermal expansion, which means they are minimally affected by changes in temperature. This characteristic is crucial for maintaining accuracy in measuring distances over various temperatures. When the temperature fluctuates, materials generally expand or contract; however, Invar's unique properties allow it to retain its length consistently. Thus, when using Invar tapes for distance measurements, the reliability and precision of the results are greatly enhanced compared to materials with higher coefficients of thermal expansion.

In contrast, the other types of measurements mentioned—volume, weight, and area—are not directly impacted by the thermal expansion properties of Invar tapes in the same way. Volume measurements consider three-dimensional space, weight measurements involve mass, and area measurements concern two-dimensional space, none of which necessitate the specific low thermal expansion feature of Invar as directly as distance measurements do in surveying applications.