Wave motion is a key concept in Physics that can be understood in various ways. The change in frequency of a wave in relation to an observer who is moving relative to the wave source is explained by the Doppler shift or Doppler effect. In this article, let us learn in detail about the Doppler shift.
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What is Doppler Shift?
The Doppler shift, also known as the Doppler effect, is defined as the change in the wavelength or frequency of the waves with respect to the observer who is in motion relative to the wave source. The Doppler shift was theorised in the year 1842 by the Austrian physicist Christian Doppler.
What is the Doppler Shift Formula
\(\begin{array}{l}f=(\frac{c\pm v_{r}}{c\pm v_{s}})f_{0}\end{array} \) |
Where,
- c is the velocity of waves in the medium
- vr is the velocity of the receiver relative to the medium (positive if the receiver is moving towards the source and negative if in the opposite direction)
- vs is the velocity of the source relative to the medium (positive if the source is moving away from the receiver and negative if in the opposite direction)
- f is the observed frequency
- f0 is the emitted frequency
Above is the Doppler shift or Doppler effect formula explaining the relationship between observed frequency and the emitted frequency where the speed of source and receiver is lower than the velocity of the waves in the medium.
Following is the formula when the speeds of receiver and source are comparatively lower than the speed of the wave:
Observed frequency:
\(\begin{array}{l}f=(1+\frac{\Delta v}{c})f_{0}\end{array} \) |
Change in frequency:
\(\begin{array}{l}\Delta f=\frac{\Delta v}{c}f_{0}\end{array} \) |
Where,
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To know more about the doppler effect, click on the video below.
Application of Doppler effect
Sirens
The principle behind the siren is that it starts at a higher pitch than its stationary pitch when it slides down from the observer, and again when it recedes from the observer, it continues at a lower pitch than its stationary pitch. It is used in emergency vehicles. Siren’s velocity is given as
Astronomy
In astronomy, the Doppler effect for electromagnetic waves of light results in either a red-shift or a blue-shift. With the help of the Doppler effect and radial velocity, one can measure the speed at which stars or galaxies are receding or approaching us.
Velocity Profile Measurement
Ultrasonic Doppler Velocimetry is used to measure the real-time completion velocity profile of any liquid containing suspended particles like dust, emulsions and gas bubbles. The flow can be pulsating, laminar or turbulent, oscillating or stationary.
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