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kent davidge
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If I and the light source are both moving toward one another, I see light blueshifted. What if I'm at rest and the source moving towards me?
kent davidge said:I've worked out the equations
Self evident. I do not believe I would have to make that explicit to a experienced physicist like you.Orodruin said:At rest relative to what?
Indeed, as soon as I posted this question, I realized where I was going wrong, and got the correct result.Vanadium 50 said:a source moving towards you would be blueshifted.
Orodruin said:At rest relative to what?
Not only is the answer not self-evident, but I am unable to imagine any possible answer. As you posed the problem, there are only two things to consider: you and the light source, and these certainly are not at rest relative to one another.kent davidge said:Self evident. I do not believe I would have to make that explicit to a experienced physicist like you.
The Doppler Effect is the change in frequency or wavelength of a wave in relation to an observer who is moving relative to the source of the wave. This effect is commonly observed in sound waves, but it also applies to electromagnetic waves, such as light.
The Doppler Effect affects light by causing a shift in its wavelength, known as blueshift or redshift, depending on the direction of the relative motion between the source of light and the observer. When the source of light is moving towards the observer, the light is blueshifted, meaning its wavelength becomes shorter and its frequency increases.
The blueshift of light when the source is moving towards the observer is caused by the compression of the waves in the direction of motion. This compression results in a decrease in the wavelength of the light, leading to a higher frequency and a shift towards the blue end of the spectrum.
The Doppler Effect is used in astronomy to determine the relative motion of celestial objects, such as stars and galaxies. By analyzing the shift in the wavelength of light emitted by these objects, astronomers can calculate their speed and direction of motion.
Yes, the Doppler Effect can be observed in everyday life, particularly in sound waves. For example, when an ambulance or a train passes by, the sound of its siren or horn appears to change in pitch as it approaches and then moves away from the listener. This is due to the Doppler Effect, which also applies to other types of waves, including light.