How does RADAR determine the distance to an object?

RADAR determines the distance to an object by measuring the time it takes for a transmitted radio signal to travel to that object and back. When the RADAR system sends out a pulse of radio waves, these waves travel through the air until they encounter an object. Upon hitting the object, the waves are reflected back to the RADAR system. By calculating the time interval between the transmission of the signal and the reception of the reflected signal, the system can ascertain how far away the object is.

The distance is then calculated using the speed of light, since radio waves travel at that speed. The formula used is distance equals the speed of light multiplied by the time taken for the round trip of the signal divided by two (to account for the journey to the object and back). This time-measurement method is fundamental to RADAR's functionality and is a key aspect of how the system operates in various applications, including aviation, meteorology, and law enforcement.

The other methods mentioned do not directly determine distance in the same manner. Using GPS coordinates relies on satellite data to provide location, signal strength might be indicative of distance but does not provide a precise measurement, and calculating the angle of reflection is more about determining direction rather than measuring distance. Understanding this