A Radar Gun is used to send out radio waves of specific frequencies in a chosen direction. The traveling waves then bounce off objects, including vehicles, and return to the radar gun 's receiving station. When the waves reflect off a moving vehicle, a measurable frequency shift, called Doppler Shift, occurs. The radar gun computer then uses the frequency shift to calculate the speed of the moving vehicle.

Characteristics of Radio Waves :

The term "wave" is used to describe the transmission of energy through a medium such as air, water, or space. All radio waves and all light waves travel at a constant speed known as the speed of light (186282.4 miles/sec or 299,792,458 meters/sec).

Generally speaking, radio waves will continue indefinitely unless they are reflected, refracted, or absorbed.

Reflection - radio waves will bounce off an object in direct relationship to the angle of approach.

Refraction refers to the breaking up of the radio signal when passing through a material which neither reflects nor absorbs the signal. An example of refraction is found when light passes through a broken windshield. The light is diffused into different directions.

Absorption occurs when radio waves strike an object which neither reflects nor refracts the signal. Radio waves can be absorbed by the soil, leaves, rocks, etc.

Most material will effect the radio wave with a combination of all three; reflection, refraction, and absorption.

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