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The "doppler effect" (see link below) describes what happens to an observer who is moving toward or away for the source of any type of propagation wave such as light or sound.
If we are moving rapidly toward any object which is transmitting an electromagnetic wave - or if it is moving toward us - the waves are "compressed" and we perceive them to be of a higher frequency than was originally emitted. With light, "higher frequency" means "more bluish", while "lower frequency" means "more reddish".
So scientists refer to the increasing wave frequency as a "blue shift", while a decreasing frequency, meaning movement away from us, is a "red shift".
Wiki User
∙ 14y ago
Wiki User
∙ 11y agoLight is an electromagnetic wave. Different "wavelength's" result in different colours of light.
Blue light has a shorter wavelength than red light.
When the source of light is moving relative to the observer you get a change in wavelength.
If the source is moving away, the light's wavelength is increased.
"Red- shifted" means the light's wavelength is increased , towards the red end
of the spectrum.
"Blue-shifted" means the opposite, so the wavelength of the light decreases, towards the blue end of the spectrum. This happens when the source is moving closer to the observer.
That's the basics, but there are more details, of course.
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Differentiate between transverse and longitudinal waves?
transverse waves are...well.. wavy when compression waves are like a domino affect or like pushing a spring the similarities is that the both transport power from point a to point b however their movement is very different
Which three factors determine how high the waves in a place will be?
the lenght of the waves , strenght of the waves and the duration o the high waves determine how high the waves in a place will be
How are microwaves different from radio waves?
"Microwave" is the loose term used to describe the higher-frequency portion of the general category of radio waves. The closest thing to a formal definition says that "microwave" is anything with a frequency higher than 3 GHz (wavelength less than 10 centimeters).
How does redshift support the notion of the expanding universe?
The redshift of distant galaxies is believed to be a result of the Doppler effect - in other words, the light is shifted towards lower frequencies ("redshifted") due to the fact that the galaxies move away from us.
What are similarities between S-waves P-waves and surface waves?
they start at a earthquake.
The apparent shift in the spectrum of a star as it moves toward or away from the earth is explained by the phenomenon known as the?
Doppler effect. This effect causes the wavelengths of light from a star to appear shorter (blueshifted) as it moves towards the Earth and longer (redshifted) as it moves away, providing valuable information about the star's motion in space.
The father the star is away from the earth the more is is?
Redshifted.
What are some objects that are not redshifted?
Objects within the solar system.
How are sound and waves different from electromagnetic waves?
they are different because these waves can travel through empty space
How are electromagnetic waves different to radio waves?
Radio waves ARE electromagnetic waves.
What direction will spectral lines move if an object is moving towards you?
They will be blueshifted, that is their wavelengths will be shortened and their frequencies increased.
Are earthquake waves different from the concentric rings of waves when you throw a stone in the water?
Yes the two waves are different.
In what ways are sound waves and electromagnetic waves different?
They travel at different speeds.
How are radio waves different from other waves on the EM spectrum?
They have different wavelength.
How are ultraviolet waves different from light waves?
Ultraviolet waves are smaller than light waves.
What do waves move through?
Different types of waves move in different patterns. Ocean waves move in a circular pattern while sound waves move in a sinusoidal pattern.
Why are sound waves different than most?
why sound waves are different than most
