How is a radar gun typically operated?

• A. It uses sound waves to detect speed
• B. It emits radio waves that reflect off moving vehicles
• C. It captures video footage of the vehicle
• D. It measures the heat emitted by the vehicle

Answer: (B)

A radar gun is typically operated by emitting radio waves that reflect off moving vehicles. When the radar gun sends out these waves, they travel until they hit a moving object, such as a car. Upon hitting the vehicle, the radar waves bounce back to the gun. The device then measures the frequency change between the emitted waves and the reflected waves, a phenomenon known as the Doppler effect. This frequency shift allows the radar gun to calculate the speed of the vehicle accurately.

The method of using radio waves is critical because it enables the radar gun to function effectively over long distances and in various weather conditions, making it a reliable tool for law enforcement to gauge vehicle speeds. Other options, such as measuring sound waves, capturing video, or measuring emitted heat, do not apply to how radar technology operates for speed enforcement.