The Doppler Effect
What is the Doppler Effect? The Doppler effect is a quantitative analysis that shows how the frequency heard by a stationary observer depends on whether the observer sees the source approaching or receding This means that waves have different observed frequencies when the wave source is in motion
A Diagram Sound waves Direction of motion
Equations for a moving source The equation for a receding object is The equation for an approaching object is
Equations for a moving observer For an observer moving towards the source For an observer moving away from the source
For light waves When light waves are emitted from a source moving away from you the light appears to be redshifted, as it is distorted back in the color spectrum towards red Also, when light is emitted for a source moving towards you it appears to be blueshifted, or moved up in the color spectrum towards blue
Diagram of light shifting Light waves Direction of motion
The Doppler double shift This occurs when a wave is reflected off of a moving object and it indicates the frequency shift and it has application in detecting blood flow rates and radar