The Doppler Effect

1
The Doppler Effect

• Shifts in Frequency

2
What is the Doppler Effect?

• The Big Bang Theory
• A change in the frequency of a wave due to motion
• Affects both light and sound waves

3
The Doppler Effect on Sound

• As the object moves towards you, the waves
  compress
• This causes the frequency to increase, which
  creates a higher-pitched sound
• As the object moves away from you, the waves
  space out
• This causes the frequency to decrease, which
  creates a lower-pitched sound
• Example

4
The Doppler Effect on Light

• Light is affected, too
• As an object moves towards us, the frequency of
  the light we see reflected off it increases
• This causes the light to appear more blue
• Blue shift

5
The Doppler Effect on Light

• Light is affected, too
• As an object moves away from us, the frequency of
  the light we see reflected off it decreases
• This causes the light to appear more red
• Red shift

6
Applications of the Doppler Effect

• Doppler Radar
• Astronomy