Localization by the doppler effect

  • Context: Undergrad 
  • Thread starter Thread starter disregardthat
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Doppler Doppler effect
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the concept of localization and velocity measurement using the Doppler effect, particularly in a hypothetical scenario involving a completely sealed box that prevents any external signals from entering. Participants explore whether it is possible to determine one's speed and direction of motion based on the Doppler effect of light emitted from within the box.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests that if a person is inside a sealed box moving through space, they could determine their speed by measuring the frequencies of light emitted from hydrogen gas, noting that the Doppler effect would alter these frequencies based on the box's motion.
  • Another participant counters that the Doppler shift would not be observed by a receiver moving with the source, implying that the measurement of frequency changes requires relative motion between the source and observer.
  • A different participant reiterates the original scenario and emphasizes that the Doppler effect would only apply to light coming from outside the box, questioning the feasibility of using internal signals for velocity measurement.
  • One participant introduces the concept of using radar echoes to measure velocity but notes that experiments confined to a specific inertial reference frame do not provide information about its absolute velocity.
  • Another participant raises a question about whether the Microwave Background Radiation (MBR) could serve as a "Preferred Reference Frame" for measurements, expressing skepticism due to the implications of Hubble Expansion.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the applicability of the Doppler effect in the context of the sealed box scenario. There is no consensus on whether internal measurements can provide information about speed or direction, and the discussion remains unresolved regarding the implications of MBR as a reference frame.

Contextual Notes

The discussion highlights limitations related to the assumptions of the sealed box scenario, the definitions of reference frames, and the nature of Doppler shifts in relation to relative motion.

disregardthat
Science Advisor
Messages
1,864
Reaction score
34
I have heard that if one is hypothetically placed in a box completely solid, whith a shield that leaves everything that would have entered a normal box, like light, or neutrinos, out of it. If you sent that in a certain speed, with nothing affecting it, just traversing through space, the person inside it could not in any way find out where he is, or what speed he is going in.
Or something similiarly, i don't explain it that good.

Anyway, my question is, that you COULD find out what your speed is, if you originally know what for example what frquenzies glowing hydrogen gas sent out. Then you measure the frequenzie of it in all directions. Let's say (i don't know anything about it, just as an example) normal hydrogen gas sent out light in frequenzies of 5, then the doppler effect would have made the frequenzy higher the way the box is moving. if the box is moving half the speed of light, the frequenzy would be doubled, since the light waves are compressed. on the opposite side the light frequenzy would be halfed.

so theoretically wouldn't they say something about what speed, or at least what direction they are moving in? Or have i misunderstood the doppler effect?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
The H gas frequencies as seen by the receiver moving with the source would not see any Doppler shift. Doppler shift is seen by a receiver moving relative to the source.
 
doppler and velocity measurement

Jarle said:
I have heard that if one is hypothetically placed in a box completely solid, whith a shield that leaves everything that would have entered a normal box, like light, or neutrinos, out of it. If you sent that in a certain speed, with nothing affecting it, just traversing through space, the person inside it could not in any way find out where he is, or what speed he is going in.
Or something similiarly, i don't explain it that good.

Anyway, my question is, that you COULD find out what your speed is, if you originally know what for example what frquenzies glowing hydrogen gas sent out. Then you measure the frequenzie of it in all directions. Let's say (i don't know anything about it, just as an example) normal hydrogen gas sent out light in frequenzies of 5, then the doppler effect would have made the frequenzy higher the way the box is moving. if the box is moving half the speed of light, the frequenzy would be doubled, since the light waves are compressed. on the opposite side the light frequenzy would be halfed.

so theoretically wouldn't they say something about what speed, or at least what direction they are moving in? Or have i misunderstood the doppler effect?

You can measure other's velocity using radar echo. Experiments confined in a given inertial reference frame do not offer infoirmation about its velocity.
 
Jarle said:
hypothetically box completely solid, whith a shield that leaves everything that would have entered a normal box, like light, or neutrinos, out of it. ...
...you COULD find out what your speed is, if you originally know what for example what frquenzies glowing hydrogen gas sent out. Then you measure the frequenzie of it in all directions. -- Doppler effect --
The Doppler effect would apply only to light coming in from outside the box. -- But you defined your box as being shielded form allowing entry of anything outside, not even the MBR.

To ask your question in a different way, for those not in such a box: Could the MBR (Microwave Background Radiation) define a "Preferred Reference Frame" to base measurements from as the classical Newton would have wanted?
My expectation is NO; due to 'Hubble Expansion'
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
1K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 21 ·
Replies
21
Views
2K
  • · Replies 17 ·
Replies
17
Views
4K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
1K
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
1K
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K