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#aircraft navigation

2 public questions tagged with this topic.

Which type of electromagnetic waves are used in aircraft navigation radar systems?

**Hertz experiment** produced radio waves using spark gap LC oscillator, detected with loop antenna, confirming Maxwell's prediction, frequency ≈10⁸ Hz, wavelength ≈3 m, demonstrating EM waves travel at c, transverse, can be reflected, refracted, polarized. Microwaves, due to their short wavelengths, are suitable for radar systems used in aircraft navigation. Using c = fλ, E₀/B₀ = c, I_d = ε₀ dΦ_E/dt, and spectrum classification λ = c/f, evaluation yields Microwaves, illustrating EM wave transverse nature and Maxwell's displacement current concept.

Ref: NCERT > Physics Book > Electromagnetic Waves > Electromagnetic Spectrum - Radio Waves and Microwaves

Why are microwaves used in radar systems for aircraft navigation?

**Radio waves** λ≈10⁻¹ to 10⁴ m, f≈10⁴ to 10⁹ Hz, produced by rapid acceleration/deceleration of electrons in aerials/antenna, used for long-distance communication because low frequency diffracts around obstacles and reflects from ionosphere, enabling ground wave and sky wave propagation, effective for broadcasting. The document explains that microwaves are suitable for radar systems because their short wavelengths allow for precise direction and ranging. Using c = fλ, E₀/B₀ = c, I_d = ε₀ dΦ_E/dt, and spectrum classification λ = c/f, evaluation yields They have short wavelengths for precision,

Ref: NCERT > Physics Book > Electromagnetic Waves > Electromagnetic Spectrum - Radio Waves and Microwaves