Question

Describe the principle and use of SONAR and RADAR.

Answer 1

Hint: SONAR and RADAR both work on the principle of echo detection that bounces off an object. RADAR uses radio waves for detection purposes and SONAR uses ultrasonic waves to detect and locate underwater objects and their distances. Both have their application in the defence and military.

Complete step by step answer:
SONAR stands for Sound Navigation and Ranging, and RADAR stands for Radio Detection and Ranging. As their name suggests both are used for navigation and detection of different properties and attributes of objects. The waves are basically emitted from a source towards the object and once the waves strike the object they bounce back towards the source and are detected using detectors. This way the range and distance of the objects can be measured.
SONARS are used by underwater submarines for remote sensing, navigation and for communication purposes. The military also uses SONAR for tracking the enemy ships or to destroy underwater mines. SONAR also has research, industrial and medicinal applications.
RADAR also has military applications as they are used for weapon control, missile guidance, aircraft navigation and air traffic controlling. RADARS are used on highways to check for over speeding vehicles. They are used in space to detect satellites and motion of other celestial bodies and to check for weather conditions etc.

Note: It should be noted that they both use two fundamentally different waves for detection purposes. A RADAR uses radio waves or electromagnetic waves that do not require any medium to travel and SONAR uses ultrasonic or sound waves for detecting targets.