Space Exploration - Doppler Effect

Jun. 17, 2020 at 11:28 a.m. MDT

Have you heard the wail of an emergency vehicle’s siren as the vehicle races toward you, and then experienced the sudden drop in pitch as it passes you? This change can be explained by the Doppler effect. The Doppler effect is the stretching or compression of sound or light waves as the source moves either towards or away from you. In this lesson you will be able to see and hear evidence of the Doppler effect, and then apply your knowledge of the Doppler effect to the emission spectrum of hydrogen!