Doppler Effect

The Doppler Effect Video Tutorial discusses the conceptual and mathematical nature of the Doppler effect. Four example problems, instructive diagrams, and animations assist in the explanations.

The video lesson answers the following questions:

1. What is the Doppler effect?
2. Why does the Doppler effect occur?
3. What are the mathematics of the Doppler effect?

Video

You can watch the video below, or click here to watch on YouTube (opens in a new tab).

To improve the effectiveness of the learning experience, The Physics Classroom has provided the following tools:

Additional and Related Learning Tools

Minds On Physics, Sound and Music Module, Mission SM4: The Doppler Effect
This Minds On Physics mission is a great follow-up to the concepts presented in the video. Give it a try. Use the Help and Hints button (textbook icon in bottom right) when youu need some question-specific help.

The Calculator Pad, Sound Waves Chapter, Problem Set SM9
If you're looking for some practice problems that utilize the Doppler Equation, you will find them here at The Calculator Pad. Scroll down and tap on Problm Set SM9. Numbers will be randomized. A Check Answer button allows you to check your answer. And you can repeat your try if you miss.

Physics Classroom Tutorial, Vibration and Waves Chapter, Lesson 3, The Doppler Efffect
Sometimes you just need a little quick help. Our Tutorial pages are the place to find that help. You can scan quickly to locate what you need. Then slow down to read and digest it. This Tutorial page is the written version of our video tutorial.

Teacher Resources

Curriculum Corner: Sound and Music
Try our Curriculum Corner for a Think Sheet or a whole unit of Think Sheets and get your students thinking about waves. We have a short Think Sheet on the Doppler Effect in our Sound and Music unit. If the video is homework; then these are awesome next day starters. This is free curriculum for the taking. And for a few extra bucks, you can obtain the source documents and purchase a license to place them and any deriviative from them on your course management pages; see the Solutions Guide.

The Calculator Pad, Sound Waves Chapter, Problem Set SM9
If you're looking for some practice problems to assign students that utilize the Doppler Equation, you will find them here at The Calculator Pad. Scroll down and tap on Problm Set SM9. Numbers will be randomized. A Check Answer button allows students to check their answer and receive immediate feedback. And students can hae an endless number of attempts.

Minds On Physics, Sound and Music Module, Mission SM4
You can't be sure they understand until they complete the Minds On Physics mission on the topic. Try Mission SM4 as an effective formative assessment of student understanding.

Physics Classroom Tutorial, Vibration and Waves Chapter, Lesson 3, The Doppler Efffect
Our written tutorial pages provide a thorough, easy-to-understand, common-sense approach to Physics topics. This particular page addresses the same topics covered in the video. As such, it makes a great reference for a quick check-up or clarification of an idea.

Lesson Notes

Download (opens in a new tab) or view below

Slides

Do you like the slides we used? They are available in our low cost Teacher Presentation Pack, along with other updated materials used in our presentation.