The
Doppler Effect is the phenomenon of a change in wavelength as experienced
from an observer moving relative to the source. Depending on whether
the object is moving towards or away, will dictate the change in wavelength.
If the source is approaching the observer, then the wavelengths will
be “squashed” together, and the observer will experience
a smaller wavelength that is emitted. If the source moves away relative
to the source, the wavelengths are “stretched” out, and
the observer experiences a larger wavelength than is emitted.
The Doppler workshop set up consists of three different millimetre
wave emitters with different wavelengths in the millimetre
range. There is a box that processes the wavelength shift
and this is fed into a computer which allows you to see the
change. It is also fed into a speaker so that the change can
be heard as sound.
The image on the left is a screenshot from the Doppler Game,
where users can play against each other to register the highest
recorded speed!
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