Radar is acronym for Radio Detecting and Ranging.
It is a technique and apparatus for detecting the location of an object by the use of radio waves. The most visible and ubiquitous aspects of radar are the rotating, curved- surfaced antennas seen on the top of most ships and airport towers.
It is system employing microwaves for the purpose of locating, identifying, navigating or guiding such objects such as ships, airports, missiles or official satellites. It can determine the direction, distance, height and speed of objects that are not visible to human eyes.
The working principle of radar is similar to that of light. Radar uses a powerful radio transmitter to illuminate objects with radio waves and a sensitive radio receiver to detect the reflected waves called echoes, which are amplified and electronically transformed so that, it can be seen on display monitor.
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A single antenna generally serves both as a transmitter and receiver. In operation, radar, antennas emit pulses of radio- waves, about 1000 pulses per second. The waves travel at the speed of light i.e. 3, 00,000 kms. Per second or 1, 86,000 miles /second.
Uses of Radar:
A radar has large variety of applications, involving precise measurements of distances. Besides, being used for second navigating ships and aircrafts, it is also used for mapping storms, other meteorological distances and standing planets and theirs moons and satellites. It is also used for determining attitudes of aeroplanes, navigating in fog and in the dark. A useful application is also for police speed traps.