Doppler Effect

What is the doppler effect?

Definition: "The change in wavelength of radiation (light) due to the relative motion between the source and the observer along the line of sight."

Different doppler shifts

Redshift (to longer wavelengths): The source is moving away from the observer Blueshift (to shorter wavelengths): The source is moving towards the observer

Does the Doppler effect occur when the observer is moving and the source of light is stationary?

Yes

A bright star is moving away from Earth. Which of the choices best completes the following statement describing the spectrum of this star? "A(n) ___________ spectrum that is _______ relative to an unmoving star."

absorption; redshifted

The Doppler Effect causes light from a source moving away to

be shifted to a longer wavelength

If we observe one edge of a planet to be redshifted, and the opposite edge to be blueshifted, what can we conclude about the planet?

the planet is rotating