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The Doppler Effect definitions

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  • Doppler Effect
    Change in frequency of a wave in relation to an observer moving relative to the wave source.
  • Frequency
    Number of wave cycles per second, perceived as pitch in sound waves.
  • Wavelength
    Distance between successive peaks of a wave, determining its frequency.
  • Wavefront
    A surface over which an oscillation has a constant phase, such as a peak of a sound wave.
  • Source
    The origin point from which waves are emitted, such as a speaker.
  • Detector
    Device or observer that receives waves and measures their frequency.
  • Natural Frequency
    Frequency at which a source emits waves when at rest.
  • Approaching
    Movement towards the wave source, resulting in increased frequency.
  • Receding
    Movement away from the wave source, resulting in decreased frequency.
  • Speed of Sound
    Rate at which sound waves travel through a medium, typically 343 m/s in air.
  • Coordinate System
    Framework used to define positions and directions for calculating wave interactions.
  • Pulse
    A single disturbance moving through a medium, part of a wave sequence.
  • Relative Motion
    Movement of the source and detector in relation to each other, affecting wave frequency.
  • Equation
    Mathematical representation used to calculate detected frequency in the Doppler effect.
  • Speed of Source
    Velocity at which the wave-emitting source is moving, affecting observed frequency.