Kinematics
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Physics is widely used in GPS systems because the system of 24 satellites requires precise algorithms, mathematics, and physics to function. As explained in other categories, GPS uses the following algorithm a lot to calculate this distance from a satellite, the GPS device uses kinematic algorithms such as the following formula: distance = rate x time, where rate is (c) and time is how long the signal travelled through space. There are many other kinematic formulas used, such as to determine the speed of a car on the highway using GPS. This is done through analysing the location of the car at two specific points of its displacement, and then determining the speed. This is also how the average velocity is determined. Distance can also be taken into consideration so that the estimated ETA can be determined with the current speed and velocity of the car. Kinematics must also be used to launch the satellite into orbit so that it follows a specialized path – otherwise it would not be able to communicate with receivers and other satellites. You would need to take into consideration the projectile motion, vertical and horizontal velocities, terminal velocity, and total time (both for when it will reach orbit, and the time it would take to retrieve if required back to earth). In conclusion, GPS is very physics and kinematics reliant. It is one of the most useful scientific advances of the modern era, as well!
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GPS and Kinematics by Simarjeet Singh Thind is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
Based on a work at http://www.gps.gov/.