When RADAR signals bounce off objects, what is the process called?

When RADAR signals bounce off objects, the process is known as reflection. In this process, the waves emitted by the RADAR device travel through the air until they encounter an object, such as a vehicle or obstacle. Upon hitting the object, some of the energy from the RADAR signal is reflected back toward the source. This reflection allows the RADAR system to detect the presence of the object, determine its distance, and assess its speed based on the change in frequency of the return signal.

Reflection is a fundamental concept in how RADAR operates, enabling effective monitoring and tracking by analyzing the echo and time it takes for the signal to return. Understanding reflection is crucial for proper interpretation of RADAR data and is a foundational principle in the use of RADAR technology.

In contrast, the other options—refraction, projection, and diffraction—describe different phenomena that involve waves but do not accurately represent the behavior of RADAR signals when they encounter objects. Refraction pertains to the bending of waves as they pass through different mediums, projection refers to the way images or signals are cast or represented, and diffraction involves the bending of waves around obstacles or through openings. All of these are distinct from the act of reflection that is key to RADAR functionality