Doppler Effect of Light Waves at Half Speed?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the Doppler Effect of light waves, particularly in the context of relativistic speeds, such as when a light source is moving at half the speed of light. Participants explore how the wavelength and frequency of light are affected by the motion of the source and observer, and the differences between relativistic and non-relativistic Doppler effects.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions whether light waves emitted by a star moving towards an observer at half the speed of light would be compressed to half their original wavelength.
  • Another participant emphasizes the need to use the relativistic Doppler effect equation for speeds approaching the speed of light.
  • Several participants inquire about the differences between the relativistic and non-relativistic Doppler effects and request clarification on the relevant equations and units.
  • A participant shares a calculation using the relativistic Doppler shift formula but expresses confusion about the meaning of the result and the variables involved.
  • Another participant discusses experiencing redshifts despite using positive velocities, later correcting their misunderstanding regarding the direction of frequency changes.
  • There is a question about the logarithmic nature of the electromagnetic spectrum and how to represent it graphically, with a participant attempting to relate it to exponential growth.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express varying levels of understanding regarding the Doppler effect and its equations, with some confusion about the calculations and concepts involved. There is no consensus on the interpretations of results or the best approaches to the problems raised.

Contextual Notes

Participants mention the need for clarity on units and definitions in the equations, indicating potential limitations in their understanding of the mathematical aspects of the Doppler effect.

disregardthat
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I cannot search the forum to check if this has been posted before, because I do not know what it is called in english...

That means that i have to try to explain what i means, here it goes: When a light producer, like a star is moving, it sends out waves that is either compressed or expanded. You know what i mean?

Anyway, if the star was moving half the speed of light, will the waves be compressed to a half? Example: If the sun sends out waves at a wavelength of 800 nm, and moves TOWARDS us in the speed of light\2 (a half), would the wavelength be 400 nm?

And let's say that the star stands still, but the Earth is moving half the light speed, would we observe the waves as half?
 
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One such search for the Doppler Effect [For light].
 
And if the source (or the observer) is moving as fast as half the speed of light, you should use the relativistic Doppler effect equation, not the non-relativistic one that people usually learn first.
 
What is the difference between the relativistic doppler effect and the non-relativistic doppler effect? and what's the equation? (I usually don't udnerstand all the units so the hard ones can yuo please define? would be great)

Trying to put my teacher in his place although physics isn't his main subject.
 
Jarle said:
What is the difference between the relativistic doppler effect and the non-relativistic doppler effect? and what's the equation? (I usually don't udnerstand all the units so the hard ones can yuo please define? would be great)
The equations for both Doppler effects are compared here: http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/relativ/reldop2.html#c1"

Trying to put my teacher in his place although physics isn't his main subject.
Perhaps this isn't the best use of your time. :rolleyes:
 
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Perhaps this isn't the best use of your time. :rolleyes:

Yeah it is! Not only to put him in place, but to understand it myself!

Thanks by the way
 
Ok i used the formula of Relativistic Doppler Shift, with the velocity between the observer and source to be 100 000 000 m\s. It came with this answer:

141458078,17020046914680279765556

What does this answer mean?

Maybe I have done something wrong. The V divided by c in each bracket is supposed to be the same as Vsource right? If not, what should it be?
 
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And what excactly does the frequenzy of the source means? The frequenze of the emitted light waves?

All right, thanks, I could use the calculator, but i have 1 question. for the equation, is the frequenzy supposed to be like this for example: 3*10^14?
 
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  • #10
Yes, the source frequency is the frequency at which the light is emitted from a source moving relative to an observer.
 
  • #11
What is the logarithm in the electromagnetic specter? Do any of you have an equation for the graph?
 
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  • #12
Jarle said:
I keep getting redshifts even though I use positive velocities :(
Not sure what you are doing. What makes you think you are getting redshifts?
 
  • #13
Jarle said:
What is the logarithm in the electromagnetic specter? Do any of you have an equation for the graph?
:bugeye: Now I'm confused... perhaps if you could explain your question further, or post your working on the problem you are attempting.
 
  • #14
Uhm, sorry about the redshift comment, a little silly mistake by me, I edited my post. The reason I thought I was getting redshifts, was because the frequency of the wavelengths i got was lower when the source was moving TOWARDS the observer. My mistake was that turned the bracket inside the equation... Not so experienced with physics equations yet, trying to learn a bit.

Ok, about the logarithm question. Logarithmic graph IS when the line doesn't go straight, but in an accelerating rate for example upwards, right?

Like y=2^x is a graph where the number 2 doubles for each point on the X line. Like this:

X: 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
Y: 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, 64

I'm not sure the definition, but in that graph the acceleration doubles on each point.

So, I was wondering what the logarithm was in the electromagnetic specter. Since it kind of looks like the PH meter.
The electrodynamic specter have 3*10^14 at one point, 3*10^15 at another, and 3*10^16 at another. And the length between the points are equal, but the number are not at all! So I wondered what graph you could use to show thsi logarithm, because it's not very lucid<-(is that the word? at least, not a very good overview to see the difference between the low and the high wavelentgths\frequencies)
 
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