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Doppler Effect

The Doppler effect describes how the frequency of a wave (such as sound or light) is altered by the relative motion between the source of the wave and the observer. When the source is moving towards the observer, the observed frequency increases. When the source is moving away, the frequency decreases. This change in observed frequency results in changes to properties like pitch for sound waves. The Doppler effect has applications in areas like ultrasound, radar, and astronomy for determining if stars are moving towards or away from Earth.

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436 views4 pages

Doppler Effect

The Doppler effect describes how the frequency of a wave (such as sound or light) is altered by the relative motion between the source of the wave and the observer. When the source is moving towards the observer, the observed frequency increases. When the source is moving away, the frequency decreases. This change in observed frequency results in changes to properties like pitch for sound waves. The Doppler effect has applications in areas like ultrasound, radar, and astronomy for determining if stars are moving towards or away from Earth.

Uploaded by

Theo Moloto
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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DOPPLER EFFECT

Doppler effect: The change in frequency/pitch of the sound detected by a listener due
to relative motion between the sound source and the listener.
Frequency: The number of vibrations per second
Wavelength: The distance between two successive points in phase
Wave equation: Speed = frequency x wavelength ( v = f x λ )

Explaining the doppler effect with sound


The pitch of a sound wave is related to the wave’s frequency.
The frequency of a sound wave is the number of wavefronts that pass a given point in
one second.
The higher the frequency, the higher the pitch of the sound produced. The pitch of a
sound is how high or deep it sounds.

(a) sound waves emitted from a stationary truck.


When its whistle is sounding, a sound wave is emitted in all directions.

The sound travels at the same speed in all directions, and so the distance
between any two successive compressions is the same in all directions.

An Observer on the left and an Observer on the right, therefore, observes the
same frequency, and hears the same pitch, from the whistle, no matter where
they are standing.
(a) Sound waves emitted from a moving source.

In front of the truck

The compressions in front of the truck will be closer together than when the train was at
rest.

This is because the truck is moving towards the previously emitted wavefront when the
next wavefront is sent.

A stationary observer in front of the truck will experience more wavefronts arriving per
second than when the truck was stationary.

This increased frequency of the wave results in this observer hearing a higher pitched
sound.

Behind the truck

The compressions behind the truck will be further apart than when it was at rest.

This is because the truck is moving away from the previously emitted wavefront when
the next wave front is sent.

An observer behind the truck will experience fewer wavefronts arriving per second than
when the truck was stationary.

This decreased frequency of the wave results in this observer hearing a deeper pitched
sound.

Using the plus (+) or minus (-) sings depends on the relative motions of the
source and observer.
If the relative motion of the source and observer is towards one another, use the
equation.
If the relative motion of the source and observer is away from one another, use the
equation.

Application of the doppler effect (ultrasound) in medicine

Doppler flow meter; Measuring foetal heartbeat; Ultrasound/Sonar; Radar (for speeding)
or
Blood flow meter; Measuring the heartbeat of a foetus; Radar; Sonar; Used to
determine whether stars are receding or approaching earth.

Explaining the doppler effect with light


Red shift: Observed when light from an object increased in wavelength (decrease in
frequency). A red shift occurs when a light source moves away from an observer.

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