How does distance affect the width of a RADAR beam at a given angle?

Prepare for the North Carolina Basic RADAR Operator Test. Study with flashcards, multiple choice questions, hints, and explanations. Get ready for your exam!

Distance has a significant effect on the width of a RADAR beam. As the distance from the RADAR unit increases, the width of the beam also increases. This phenomenon is primarily due to the geometry of how RADAR waves propagate.

When RADAR waves are emitted, they spread out as they move away from the source. This spreading results in a larger area being covered by the beam at greater distances. Since the waves travel outward at a specified angle, the increase in distance causes the beam to cover an increasingly larger area, thereby increasing its width.

In practical terms, this means that while the RADAR can detect objects at long distances, the accuracy of distinguishing individual targets might decrease due to this widening of the beam. Understanding this principle is crucial for RADAR operators, as it impacts how they interpret the data received from the RADAR system.

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