The Doppler Effect

May 20, 2013

Objectives
1. Identify the Doppler effect
2. Explain its cause and uses
3. Understand the terms and cause of

Sonic Boom

Doppler Effect
Fire Engine
Car Horn
Change in

frequency due to
the motion of the
vibrating object

 The Doppler Effect

Sound Waves
1.

As an object moves toward

you, frequency seems shorter
higher pitch

2.

As an object moves away,

frequency seems longer
lower pitch

3.

Never the speed that changes,

just the frequency

 The Doppler Effect

Uses of the Doppler Effect

Doppler Radar
Police Radar

Wave Barrier and Bow Waves

When the source is moving as fast as

the waves it produces it reaches a wave

barrier
Once it passes its wave speed is
creates a V shaped pattern Bow Wave

Shock Waves and Sonic

Booms

Shock Waves Form overlapping cones that

Form a V
Sonic Boom sharp crack heard when

supersonic aircrafts shock waves pass

 The Sonic Boom

Doppler Demo's

Light Waves
1.

Red shift
frequency is lower
therefore red light
is seen

2.

Blue shift
frequency is higher
therefore blue light
is seen

The Stars
Scientists use this knowledge to

measure the speed of rotation of the

stars
And the distance of galaxies