The Universe ________________________________________________________________ 13. Doppler effect
The Doppler effect is a change in some properties of waves, wavelength and frecuency (light and sound are waves). It is caused by the change in distance between the thing creating the wave (causer) and whatever is measuring seeing or hearing the wave (watcher or observer).
If observer and creator of the wave get closer, the wavelength is shorter.
• For light, this causes a shift in color towards the blue end of the spectrum called a blue shift. The faster something is moving toward us, the greater the blue shift.
• For sound, this causes the sound to become higher in pitch.Figure 10.8 Doppler Effect
If the distance between the observer and creator gets longer, the wavelength is longer.
•For light, this causes a shift towards the red end of the spectrum called a red shift, the faster something is moving away, the greater the red shift.
• For sound, this causes the sound to become lower in pitch.