How does relativity affect the Lyman line and its observed wavelength?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the effects of relativity on the Lyman line and its observed wavelength, specifically in the context of measuring wavelengths emitted by moving objects. Participants explore how relativistic effects, particularly the Doppler shift, influence the observed wavelength of light.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the relationship between the emitted wavelength and the observed wavelength, questioning how to calculate the speed of an object relative to Earth based on these measurements. Some mention the Doppler-Fizeau effect and its relevance to the problem.

Discussion Status

The discussion is active, with participants providing insights into the relativistic Doppler shift and its implications for the observed frequency and wavelength. There is acknowledgment of the formula related to the Doppler effect, but no consensus has been reached regarding the specific calculations or interpretations of the results.

Contextual Notes

Participants are working with the assumption that the object is moving in an inertial reference frame and are exploring the implications of both redshift and blueshift in their calculations. There is also a mention of gravitational redshift, which some participants question in relation to the problem.

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Hi,
What is the effect of relativity on the Lyman line? For instance, an object emits a line with a certain wavelength, but we measure it to be 607.5 nm on earth. What is the speed that the object is moving relativity to the earth?

Thanks.
 
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yxgao said:
Hi,
What is the effect of relativity on the Lyman line? For instance, an object emits a line with a certain wavelength, but we measure it to be 607.5 nm on earth. What is the speed that the object is moving relativity to the earth?
Thanks.

I believe it has to do with the old (round 150 years) Doppler-Fizeau effect.Take the book,search for the formula and apply it correctly,knowing u're given the value in the moving (but inertial) reference frame and you're being questioned about the wavelength in the rest reference system.

Daniel.

PS.It be can't gravitational red shift,right?? :confused:

EDIT:You're questioned about the velocity,you're given both wavelengths.So it's the same formula,though...
 
Last edited:
Doppler effect - as an object moves away, the frequency of light emitted is reduced (red shift), and conversely, as the object approaches, the light wave frequency would increase (blue shift).
 
Frequency as observed from Earth = sqrt[(c-v)/(c+v)] * frequency of the source.
v>0 means the object is moving away from the observer (red shift).

gamma.
 
Thanks for your help, guys!
I didn't realize that this was just the relatvistic doppler shift:

[tex] \nu_{obs} = \nu_{source} \sqrt{{\frac{1+\frac{v}{c}}{1-\frac{v}{c}}}}[/tex]
[tex]\nu[/tex] positive means source is approaching
[tex]\nu[/tex] positive means source is not approaching
 

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