If the time discrepancy is 0.5 microsecond, calculate the distance error in meters.

If the time discrepancy is 0.5 microsecond, calculate the distance error in meters.

• A. 75
• B. 150
• C. 300
• D. 600

Answer: (B)

Time discrepancy translates directly into a distance error because signals travel at nearly the speed of light. Multiply the time error by the propagation speed: distance error ≈ c × Δt. With Δt = 0.5 microseconds (0.5 × 10^-6 s) and c ≈ 3.0 × 10^8 m/s, you get 0.5e-6 × 3e8 ≈ 150 meters. So the distance error is about 150 m. If you were using a round-trip time, you’d divide by 2 and get about 75 m, but for this one-way interpretation the result is 150 m.

Time discrepancy translates directly into a distance error because signals travel at nearly the speed of light. Multiply the time error by the propagation speed: distance error ≈ c × Δt. With Δt = 0.5 microseconds (0.5 × 10^-6 s) and c ≈ 3.0 × 10^8 m/s, you get 0.5e-6 × 3e8 ≈ 150 meters. So the distance error is about 150 m. If you were using a round-trip time, you’d divide by 2 and get about 75 m, but for this one-way interpretation the result is 150 m.