Which statement regarding the operation of radar in fog is TRUE?

Small wooden boats may not show up on radar due to their limited size and the materials from which they are constructed. Radar systems detect objects by bouncing radio waves off their surfaces; however, wooden boats have lower radar reflectivity compared to larger vessels made of metal. The size and shape of a small wooden boat may not provide enough surface area for the radar waves to reflect back to the radar system, especially in circumstances where visibility is already impaired, such as in fog. Consequently, it is possible for small wooden boats to be effectively masked by environmental conditions or simply not generate a strong enough radar return to be detected, making this statement true.

In contrast, while radar ranges may be affected by weather conditions, there are various factors that can influence accuracy, and the statement regarding navigation buoys not always appearing on radar could lead to misunderstandings about object detection capabilities. Additionally, the distinction between a sandy beach and a rocky cliff on radar can depend on various features rather than a universal rule.