2006-06-13 07:14:33 · 3 answers · asked by kashif k 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Other - Science
A radar signal is transmitted, it radiates out until it reflects off a surface then it bounces back to a reciever which along with a computer system analyzes the information and displays it to the operator.. (the non-technical answer.)
2006-06-13 07:20:17 · answer #1 · answered by ŚţΰāŔţ ● Ŧ 4 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Radar systems (like speed guns) work off a concept of Doppler shift. The gun will emit a frequency, and depending on the speed of the target, the frequency will change a small amount when it bounces off and returns to the gun. The computer inside looks at the difference and uses the Doppler shift equation and figures out the speed. Older guns worked in the microwave spectrum, but that caused cancer in cops. Now the guns work off a frequency close to visible light
2006-06-13 07:19:09 · answer #2 · answered by Brian 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Radar "sweeps" around transmitting millions of little pulses. The pulses then bounce back if they hit an object (eg another ship) The ARPA can then calculate the distance that object is away by calculating how long it took for the pulses to come back.
2006-06-13 07:19:32 · answer #3 · answered by RobStar 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋