Extra exam question E3A08
Subelement E3, RADIO WAVE PROPAGATION· Group E3A
When a meteor strikes the Earth’s atmosphere, a linear ionized region is formed at what region of the ionosphere?
- A.The E region (correct answer)
- B.The F1 region
- C.The F2 region
- D.The D region
WhyA meteor striking the Earth's atmosphere forms a linear ionized trail in the E region of the ionosphere. A meteor entering the atmosphere ionizes a brief, linear trail of air molecules in the E region of the ionosphere, the same general altitude range meteor-scatter operators rely on to briefly reflect VHF signals, answer A. The F1 and F2 regions sit much higher, and the D region, lower and closer to the meteor's burn altitude in some cases, isn't where this specific ionization trail forms.
Published 2026-08-28 · Last updated 2026-08-28 · Question text is verbatim from the 2024-2028 NCVEC Element 4 pool (public domain); the explanation above is original writing, see our methodology.
Related questions
- E3A01What is the approximate maximum separation measured along the surface of the Earth between two stations communicating by EME?
- E3A02What characterizes libration fading of an EME signal?
- E3A03When scheduling EME contacts, which of these conditions will generally result in the least path loss?
- E3A04In what direction does an electromagnetic wave travel?
- E3A05How are the component fields of an electromagnetic wave oriented?