Question

A Global Positioning System (GPS) functions by determining the travel times for EM waves from various satellites to a land-based GPS receiver. If the receiver is to detect a change in travel distance of the order of 3 m, what is the associated travel time in (in ns) that must be measured

Answer 1

Answer:

10ns

Explanation:

Suppose the EM wave travels at light speed $c = 3\times10^8 m/s$. A change in travel distance of the order of 3 m would result of a change in travel time of

$\Delta t = \frac{\Delta s}{c} = \frac{3}{3\times10^8} = 10^{-8} s = 10 ns$