When an object is moving further away from the RADAR, how does this affect the reflected signal's frequency?

When an object is moving further away from the RADAR, it causes a phenomenon known as the Doppler effect. This effect occurs when there is relative motion between the source of a wave and an observer. In the case of RADAR, as the object moves away, the waves emitted by the RADAR are stretched, which results in a decrease in frequency of the reflected signal received back by the RADAR unit.

This lower frequency means that the signal has been "redshifted." Essentially, the distance between successive wave crests increases, leading to a frequency that is lower than that of the original emitted signal. This shift in frequency is critical for the RADAR operator, as it allows them to determine the relative speed and direction of the moving object based on the frequency change observed in the received signal.

The other options do not accurately reflect the principles of the Doppler effect in this context. Understanding this concept is essential for interpreting RADAR data and assessing object behavior in motion.