Difference Between Radar and Sonar (With Table)

For a country, their priority is its people, and for that, they have so many protection devices. Radar and Sonar are two of them. They both are made for security purposes only. Radar is used to detect unwanted objects coming in the way in a long-distance or range that cannot be seen with normal equipment. And Sonar is also used to detect unwanted objects that may fall in the path, and it is mostly used under the water.

Radar uses radio signals for detecting objects, and Sonar uses sound signals for recognising unwanted objects. The Radio waves which are used by Radar come from a range of electromagnetic radiations. And sound waves generated by Sonar are a type of wave that is generated by the to and fro motion of the matter.

Radar vs Sonar

The main difference between them is that Radar can be used for recognising unwanted objects in space or air. While Sonar is used to detect objects under the water or subaquatic regions. Radar is Radio Detection and Ranging device, and Sonar is Sound Navigation and Ranging device.

Radio Detection and Ranging device (Radar) helps to find or acknowledge us about the unwanted objects or body that may come between our path and may prove to be dangerous for us. It is mostly used in air forces and aeroplanes. Radar transmits radio waves or signals which, when colliding with objects that are far away from us, rebound back.

Sonar is navigation and ranging device that uses sound waves or signals for the recognition of unwanted bodies or objects. It uses the to, and fro technique for identifying objects, and Its range is somewhat less than Radar. It is mostly used in submarines, aircraft, and for communication that is done under the water.

Comparison Table Between Radar and Sonar

Parameters of Comparison

Radar

Sonar

Definition

Radar helps to find or acknowledge us about the unwanted objects or body that may come between our path and may prove to be dangerous for us.

Sonar is a navigation and ranging device that uses sound waves or signals to recognise unwanted bodies or objects.

Full forms

Radio detection and ranging device.

Sound ranging and navigation device.

Wave Type

For detection purposes, Radar uses radio waves.

For navigating purposes, Sonar uses sound waves.

Usually used

Radar is mostly used in space, spacecraft, and aeroplanes, etc.

Sonar is mostly used under the water for communication purposes and ranging purposes etc.

Frequencies

50-330MHz

100KHz-1Mhz

Maximum range

100-3500 Km

482 Km

Speed

More than Sonar.

Less than Radar.

What is Radar?

Radio detection and ranging device that is Radar is used to diagnose unwanted objects in a path. It is mostly used for security purposes in air forces and spacecraft for protecting them from unwanted collisions by any object. Radar transmits radio signals which are part of electromagnetic radiation.

A Radar has an antenna or feeler which transmits radio waves, and when those waves or signals collide with any object get rebound or reflected, which acts as a warning signal indicating that there is some unwanted object which may cause harm to the body of the craft.

Radar is harmful to mental ability, and in high radio frequency, it causes so many harms. Because it has a larger wavelength, the clear image of the unwanted body is impossible to detect. And small objects are not detected clearly.

What is Sonar?

Sonar acts as a device that is used to find or for recognition of unwanted bodies under the water and sometimes in the air. It is mainly used by navy submarines for detecting enemies submarines during wars and in normal days also for detecting unwanted bodies that, if not detected, may collide.

Sonar is referred to as a Sound ranging and navigation device, and as its name suggests, it uses sound signals or waves for navigation or detention purposes. Its ranging ability is less than Radar. It uses the to and fro technique as it transmits sound signals, and when those signals bump into some unwanted bodies, they reflect to indicate a warning.

Sonar produces sound like the bats do to find if there is someone coming to their path. The first experiment with Sonar was done by the US navy force.

Main Differences Between Radar and Sonar

  1. Radar helps to find or acknowledge us about the unwanted objects or body that may come between our path and may prove to be dangerous for us. And Sonar is a navigation and ranging device that uses sound waves or signals for the recognition of unwanted bodies or objects.
  2. Radar covers more distance, and it is used for long-ranging. And Sonar does not cover much distance and is not good for long distances.
  3. Radar transmits Radio signals for detection purposes. And Sonar transmits Sound signals for detecting unwanted bodies.
  4. Sonar is harmful to water animals and causes a defect in them, whereas Radar is not that harmful, but in high radio frequency, it also acts as a harmful device for mental ability.
  5. Radar is used mostly because of its more extensive coverage, and it is used in air crafts, space surveillance, and motor vehicles, etc. And Sonar is used by the navy, finding depth under the water and for mapping the path under the water, etc.

Conclusion

Security is the priority for a country. Radar and Sonar both act as security devices, majorly for the army. Radar and Sonar are used in recognition of the unwanted bodies which are not visible and are in long range. Radar transmits Radio signals for detection purposes. And Sonar transmits Sound signals for detecting unwanted bodies. Radar is mostly used for long-range detection because it covers more distance.

Sonar uses the techniques of bats by sending sound signals, and when those signals bump into some objects, they get reflected. And Radar uses radio signals for navigating purposes. Both the devices use the to and fro technique, which means the signal is sent in the form of a wave, and when it get collide with any unwanted matter, it gets rebounded, generating or indicating a warning signal.

References

  1. https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/1988wi…book…..L/abstract
  2. https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/978-3-540-87662-5.pdf