Satellites used in a Global Positioning System (GPS) orbit around Earth, sending electromagnetic waves that GPS units in cars can use to determine their location on Earth. Which type of electromagnetic radiation is used to send information from the GPS satellites to receivers on Earth?

X-rays are a form of electromagnetic radiation with very short wavelengths, predominantly used in medical imaging and industrial applications. They possess high energy levels, which are unsuitable for communication purposes due to their ability to penetrate materials rather than transmit information effectively over the vast distances involved in GPS technology.

Ultraviolet (UV) radiation has shorter wavelengths than visible light and is typically associated with effects such as sunburn and fluorescence. While UV radiation can be used in some communication technologies, it is not used in GPS systems due to its limited range and inability to penetrate atmospheric conditions effectively, which would impair signal reliability.

Infrared radiation lies between microwaves and visible light on the electromagnetic spectrum and is commonly used in remote controls and thermal imaging. However, infrared signals are generally limited to line-of-sight communication and are not suitable for the satellite-to-receiver transmission necessary for GPS functionality, which requires signals to travel through different atmospheres.