Doppler Effect and Harmful Radiation

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In summary, the conversation discusses the possibility of a regular photon becoming harmful due to the Doppler effect when traveling at high speeds. It is determined that this is possible, with a speed of 249999/250001 of the speed of light being the threshold for the photon's energy to be boosted to a harmful level.
  • #1
orange
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Hey!

If one travels fast enough against it, will a regular photon of visual wavelength become harmful due to the doppler effect?
 
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  • #2
hmm, interesting.

wonder how fast you'd have to go to blue-shift a light photon into a UV or x-ray photon. should be simple enough to calculate. The answer should tell you if it's possible or not.
 
  • #3
orange said:
Hey!

If one travels fast enough against it, will a regular photon of visual wavelength become harmful due to the doppler effect?

yes
ordinary sunlight is around 2 eevee and Xray is around 1000 eevee.

so you just need a speed beta which makes the doppler ratio be around 500. Here is the relativistic doppler formula, squared both sides to make it easier to write.

250000 = (1+beta)/(1-beta)

if you solve this for beta you get
beta = 249999/250001

so that is what fraction of the speed of light you would have to go
in order to boost the photon energy by a factor of 500

but well before that it would be harmful
 
Last edited:

1. What is the Doppler Effect?

The Doppler Effect refers to the change in frequency of a wave as it moves towards or away from an observer. This effect is commonly observed in sound waves, where the pitch of a sound appears higher as the source moves closer and lower as the source moves further away.

2. How does the Doppler Effect apply to harmful radiation?

Harmful radiation, such as gamma rays or X-rays, also exhibit the Doppler Effect. As these types of radiation move towards or away from an observer, their frequency and energy level can be affected. This is important to consider when studying the effects of radiation on human health.

3. Can the Doppler Effect be used to detect harmful radiation?

Yes, the Doppler Effect can be used to detect harmful radiation. By measuring the change in frequency of the radiation, scientists can determine the source and direction of the radiation, as well as its potential impact on the surrounding environment.

4. How does the Doppler Effect impact the safety of radiation-based technologies?

The Doppler Effect is important to consider when designing and using technologies that emit radiation, such as medical imaging machines. If the Doppler Effect is not accounted for, it could result in inaccurate readings and potential harm to the user or patient.

5. Can the Doppler Effect be harmful to humans?

No, the Doppler Effect itself is not harmful to humans. It is simply a natural phenomenon that occurs with waves. However, the harmful radiation that can be affected by the Doppler Effect can have negative impacts on human health if not properly monitored and controlled.

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