What is the approximate speed of light in the atmosphere used in GPS distance calculations?

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Multiple Choice

What is the approximate speed of light in the atmosphere used in GPS distance calculations?

Explanation:
In GPS distance calculations, the distance is found by multiplying the signal’s travel time by the speed of light. The value used is about 186,000 miles per second, which is the speed of light expressed in miles per second. Although light travels a touch slower in the air due to the atmosphere’s refractive index, that difference is very small and atmospheric delays are accounted for separately with models. So the practical constant you’ll see used is the speed of light in vacuum, roughly 186,000 miles per second.

In GPS distance calculations, the distance is found by multiplying the signal’s travel time by the speed of light. The value used is about 186,000 miles per second, which is the speed of light expressed in miles per second. Although light travels a touch slower in the air due to the atmosphere’s refractive index, that difference is very small and atmospheric delays are accounted for separately with models. So the practical constant you’ll see used is the speed of light in vacuum, roughly 186,000 miles per second.

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