Which EM wave is known for penetrating clouds and used in radar applications?

Master the Special Missions Aviation SMA test with our engaging review. Gain confidence with flashcards and multiple choice questions, complete with hints and explanations. Prepare for success!

Multiple Choice

Which EM wave is known for penetrating clouds and used in radar applications?

Explanation:
Microwaves are the part of the spectrum used for radar because they travel through the atmosphere, including cloud cover, with relatively low attenuation and still reflect off objects to give a useful return. Infrared light is absorbed by cloud droplets, so it doesn’t pass through clouds well. Ultraviolet is mostly blocked by the atmosphere. While longer radio waves can pass through clouds, radar systems specifically operate in the microwave range (centimeter to millimeter wavelengths) to achieve good resolution and effective targets detection. This is why microwaves are known for penetrating clouds and are used in radar applications.

Microwaves are the part of the spectrum used for radar because they travel through the atmosphere, including cloud cover, with relatively low attenuation and still reflect off objects to give a useful return. Infrared light is absorbed by cloud droplets, so it doesn’t pass through clouds well. Ultraviolet is mostly blocked by the atmosphere. While longer radio waves can pass through clouds, radar systems specifically operate in the microwave range (centimeter to millimeter wavelengths) to achieve good resolution and effective targets detection. This is why microwaves are known for penetrating clouds and are used in radar applications.

Subscribe

Get the latest from Passetra

You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our privacy policy