Doppler Shift Gizmo | ExploreLearning

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Michal Kreiselman

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Doppler Shift

Observe sound waves emitted from a moving vehicle. Measure the frequency of sound waves in front of and behind the vehicle as it moves, illustrating the Doppler effect. The frequency of sound waves, speed of the source, and the speed of sound can all be manipulated. Motion of the vehicle can be linear, oscillating, or circular.

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Assessment Questions (5):

The car below emits sound waves, represented by red circles, that are heard by an observer. Based on the pattern of sound waves, what is the direction and speed of the car?
- A. Towards the observer, faster than the speed of sound.
- B. Towards the observer, slower than the speed of sound.
- C. Away from the observer, faster than the speed of sound.
- D. Away from the observer, slower than the speed of sound.
Based on what you have seen in this Gizmo, what is the best definition of the Doppler effect?
- A. A change in the frequency of a wave caused by the motion of the source relative to the observer.
- B. The increase in volume of a sound as the source approaches an observer.
- C. A low-pitched, very loud noise produced by aircraft moving at or above the speed of sound.
- D. The pattern of louder and quieter regions caused by the interference of sound waves.
Assuming the speed of sound is 340 m/s, what is the most likely speed of the jet shown below?
- A. 200 m/s
- B. 500 m/s
- C. 100 m/s
- D. 340 m/s
What type of motion is illustrated in the diagram below?
- A. Oscillating motion faster than the speed of sound.
- B. Oscillating motion slower than the speed of sound.
- C. Circular motion faster than the speed of sound.
- D. Circular motion slower than the speed of sound.
The Doppler effect applies to light waves as well as sound waves. Astronomers use this to measure the motion of stars and galaxies. In 1929, Edwin Hubble discovered that light from distant galaxies was shifted away from the blue end of the spectrum and towards the red end of the spectrum. Red light has a longer wavelength (and a lower frequency) than blue light. What could Hubble conclude about these galaxies?
- A. The distant galaxies are growing smaller.
- B. The distant galaxies are growing larger.
- C. The distant galaxies are moving towards the Earth.
- D. The distant galaxies are moving away from the Earth.

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