SR Doppler Effect: Differences in Wave VS Momentum Models

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the differences between wave and momentum models in the context of the relativistic Doppler effect as described in Einstein's work on Special Relativity. Participants explore the implications of using plane wave approximations versus spherical wavefronts, the validity of various formulas, and the nature of classical electromagnetic radiation.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants note that Einstein's formula for the Doppler effect is derived under the assumption of a plane wave, which is a simplification for far-field observations.
  • Others argue that the four-momentum transformations provide an exact formula that does not depend on distance, raising questions about the apparent contradiction with Einstein's approximation.
  • There is a suggestion that Einstein's model, which uses spherical wavefronts, may be inaccurate due to the mismatch with his equations, which are intended for plane waves.
  • Some participants propose that if Einstein had considered all spherical wavefronts, the resulting formula would differ from both his printed formula and the one derived from four-momentum transformations.
  • One participant points out that the four-momentum is applicable to a 'particle of light' and is exact for classical massless particles, but not for classical electromagnetic radiation.
  • Another participant questions whether the behavior of electromagnetic radiation approaches that of classical massless particles as the observer moves further from the Doppler source.
  • There is a discussion about the limitations of using a four-vector to describe classical electromagnetic radiation, suggesting that an antisymmetric 2-index tensor is necessary for a complete description.
  • One participant elaborates on the angle in the Doppler formula, emphasizing the need to update the angle for spherical waves, while others express confusion about the relevance of certain assumptions made by Einstein.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the accuracy and applicability of Einstein's Doppler effect formula versus the four-momentum transformations. There is no consensus on whether Einstein's model is fundamentally flawed or merely an approximation, and the discussion remains unresolved regarding the implications of these models for classical electromagnetic radiation.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include the dependence on the assumptions of plane versus spherical waves, the scope of applicability of the four-momentum transformations, and the unresolved nature of how classical electromagnetic radiation should be modeled.

  • #31
PeterDonis said:
...We can form the vector ##\vec{E} \times \vec{B}## and show that it is a 3-vector ##\vec{p}## with an associated energy ##E## that satisfies the classical massless particle relation above.
In that same paper, Einstein derived an expression for relativistic KE, which has been applied to classical massless particles.
Albert Einstein said:
We will now determine the kinetic energy of the electron. If an electron moves from rest at the origin of co-ordinates of the system K along the axis of X under the action of an electrostatic force X, it is clear that the energy withdrawn from the electrostatic field has the value
img156.gif
. As the electron is to be slowly accelerated, and consequently may not give off any energy in the form of radiation, the energy withdrawn from the electrostatic field must be put down as equal to the energy of motion W of the electron. Bearing in mind that during the whole process of motion which we are considering, the first of the equations (A) applies, we therefore obtain
img157.gif
Einstein did this by using the E and B field transformations:
eeb3.gif


He plugged these transformations into the Lorentz force law in order to determine how a force transforms between frames.

From that he was able to derive an expression for KE.How might this derivation be modified in order to accurately account for the Doppler shifts of spherical wavefronts instead of just plane waves?
 
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  • #32
tade said:
Einstein did this by using the E and B field transformations:
...
How might this derivation be modified in order to accurately account for the Doppler shifts of spherical wavefronts instead of just plane waves?
Probably start with the E and B field for your spherical wavefront and transform those instead. Maybe the standard dipole field wold be best. The math would get annoying pretty fast.
 
  • #33
Dale said:
Probably start with the E and B field for your spherical wavefront and transform those instead. Maybe the standard dipole field wold be best.
Do these apply to spherical wavefronts?
eeb3.gif
 
  • #34
tade said:
Do these apply to spherical wavefronts?
Not as written since the fields are written only as functions of x. I would construct the EM tensor and use that instead.
 
  • #35
  • #36
tade said:
...model uses spherical Doppler wavefronts, why is this model inaccurate?

I don't know if its relevant to your problem but spherical wavefronts are impossible. To see why imagine the E or B vectors on a sphere. The Euler characteristic of a sphere is 2. Roughly the Euler characteristic can be seen to represent the minimum number of places where the wind speed must be zero. So if you imagine wind blowing on a sphere you will always have at least two places where the wind does not blow. On a torus you can have zero as the wind can blow up through the center around down and back in and up. The Euler characteristic is 0 for a Torus. So that means the curl of any vector field on a sphere must be 0 in at least two places. The E and B fields therefore must be zero. in fact this is true and all so called omni antennas have nulls.
 
  • #37
Justintruth said:
I don't know if its relevant to your problem but spherical wavefronts are impossible. To see why imagine the E or B vectors on a sphere. The Euler characteristic of a sphere is 2. Roughly the Euler characteristic can be seen to represent the minimum number of places where the wind speed must be zero. So if you imagine wind blowing on a sphere you will always have at least two places where the wind does not blow. On a torus you can have zero as the wind can blow up through the center around down and back in and up. The Euler characteristic is 0 for a Torus. So that means the curl of any vector field on a sphere must be 0 in at least two places. The E and B fields therefore must be zero. in fact this is true and all so called omni antennas have nulls.
I see, but I don't think it is that relevant.

What I said in #35, is it correct?
 

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