________- radio waves bounced off an object to determine its speed and location
The term you are looking for is "radar." Radar stands for "RAdio Detection And Ranging." It is a system that uses radio waves to detect and locate objects.
To understand how radar works, here is a breakdown of the process:
1. Transmitter: A radar system consists of a transmitter that generates radio waves. These radio waves are in the form of pulses with a specific frequency.
2. Antenna: The radio waves are emitted from the radar system through an antenna. The antenna directs the waves towards the object being tracked.
3. Reflection: When the radio waves strike an object, they bounce back or reflect off its surface. This phenomenon is known as reflection.
4. Receiver: The radar system has a receiver that detects the reflected radio waves. It picks up the echo or reflected pulses of the radio waves.
5. Time Measurement: The receiver measures the time it takes for the radio waves to travel back to the antenna after reflection. This time interval helps determine the distance between the radar system and the object.
6. Doppler Effect: The radar system also analyzes changes in the frequency of the reflected waves due to the movement of the object. This is known as the Doppler effect. By measuring the frequency shift, the speed of the object can be determined.
7. Data Processing: The radar system processes the received signals, which includes calculating the distance and speed of the object based on the time and frequency analysis.
By continuously emitting and receiving radio waves, a radar system can track moving objects and provide real-time information about their speed and location.
Radar technology finds applications in various fields, including aviation, meteorology, military operations, traffic control, and even in automobiles (in the form of collision warning systems).