Doppler Effect Explained: What Is It?

[DrPhy]

I know its to do with the drop of frequency when the object that is making the noise passes you, but what exactly is it? I don't know much about it.

 

[Doc Al]

See: Doppler Effect

 

[davenn]

I know its to do with the drop of frequency when the object that is making the noise passes you, but what exactly is it? I don't know much about it.

not just the drop in freq, but also the increase in freq as the object is moving towards you

Anyway reading Doc Al's link should clarify things for you

Dave

 

[krd]

Does anyone know much about how atoms are effected by the Doppler effect as they move...or as something moves towards them?

I've been trying to visualise it. Like as a photon approaches an atom, the atom seems flat to the photon. I've been thinking about electrons too.

 

[Simon Bridge]

Sounds like a separate thread there krd.
How about starting one and pinging me to reply?

Hint:
when you use length contraction - all of space gets flattened, not just objects in space.

 

[alextx]

Here is an animation demonstrating the Doppler effect:
http://youtu.be/ZRGg7e9b5wY

 

[Simon Bridge]

Good find alextx - wikipedia also has a bunch of them.