Doppler Shift Teacher Resources

Ever wonder why a siren sounds different when it's coming toward you than when it's going away from you? It all depends on the motion of the sound waves! The interactive activity demonstrates how the Doppler effect impacts the motion of...

Students examine and explain how the distance to nearby stars can be measured by the parallax method, discuss the role of women in the history of American astronomy, form their own opinions of the importance of Harlow Shapley and Edwin...

Slides and slides of emission spectra bring this topic to light for your physics class! Exited electrons returning to lower energy levels is offered as the cause of emission spectra. In summary, viewers learn that we can determine the...

This video concerning the Doppler effect lasts only about 10 seconds. It begins with the question, "Can you hear the change in pitch?" and records from one spot, the sound of a car coming closer, closer, closer, and then passing...

Here is a full-fledged investigation of light waves, the electromagnetic spectrum, and element spectra. Physicists research a scientist that contributed to our understanding of the behavior of light. They take notes on your lecture, and...

Students explain why a transiting planet causes a periodic dimming in the light from its parent star. They determine the radius of a planet, and its orbital distance, by analyzing data and manipulating equations. Students compare the...

In this frequency instructional activity, students use the speed of sound to determine the frequency in which sounds are heard in 5 different word problems.

In this speed of a galaxy learning exercise, students use a given equation for the speed of an object and they use the spectral lines for Hydrogen Alpha and Beta from the Seyfert galaxy to answer 6 questions. They determine the observed...

Students use an ordinary toy to reveal the Doppler effect. The connection is also made to moving cars, and to the shifting of the lines in the absorption or emission spectrum when the distance between a star and Earth is increasing or...

In this galaxies learning exercise, students review 12 terms associated with the Milky Way and galaxies in general. Students fill in the blank of 12 statements.

Take your class on an intergalactic journey as they explore the galaxy and various meteorological events taking place in our atmosphere each day. Learners investigate electromagnetic waves and the Doppler Effect before gathering radar...

Turn to the dark side! Learners discover the facts about the matter you can't see and can't interact with, yet, it may make up 85 percent of the universe. The narrator explains what we know about dark matter, how it changes the behavior...

Tenth graders explore the structure and content of galaxies. Through discussion, lab, and hands-on activities, they discover the general structure of the three types of galaxies as well as the effect they have on the structure and...

Students explore the Dollper effect by finding the frequency and velocity of sound.  In this velocity lesson, students determine the impulse during a collision by using their data and a software program.

Ninth graders research the importance of maintaining an unpolluted water source in their community. They work together in groups and brainstorm ideas on what they can do to help. They can also write their local politicians.

By the end of this section, you will be able to define Doppler effect, Doppler shift, and sonic boom; calculate the frequency of a sound heard by someone observing Doppler shift; and describe the sounds produced by objects moving faster...

This site provides an introduction to the origin of the universe for the young child and the Big Bang theory. There is also a song about the Doppler Shift. Vocabulary glossary and printable version available.

By the end of this section, you will be able to define acoustic impedance and intensity reflection coefficient, describe medical and other uses of ultrasound technology, calculate acoustic impedance using density values and the speed of...

Investigate how astronomers detect movements of stars by studying the Doppler effect on the star's light spectrum. Construct a model that illustrates this concept underlying red shift.

A site dedicated to help students prepare for the AP Physics B test. This specific site reviews waves including traveling waves, standing waves, resonance, speed of electromagnetic waves, Doppler shift, Doppler effect, interference,...

This site provides a complete biography of Christian Doppler (1803-1853 CE), founder of the Doppler principle of sound waves. Includes quotes from Doppler and those who knew him, as well as an outline of his scientific achievements.

Incredible set of animations demonstrating the Doppler effect and shockwaves resulting from supersonic aircraft.

This hypertext physics course page illustrates and explains the Doppler effect. Users perform practice calculations for frequency shifts using the Doppler equation.

This is a glossary of terms and definitions used in Chapter 17: Physics of Hearing from the AP Physics online text.