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Derivation of Doppler Effect Wavelength Equations
by Ron Kurtus
The derivation of the Doppler Effect equations is the most straightforward by starting with the derivation of the wavelength equations. Frequency and velocity equations will then follow.
Note: Before the derivations, you should first establish the conventions for direction and velocities. (See Conventions for Doppler Effect Equations for more information.)
The method used is to first derive the equations for a moving source and stationary observer by considering the observed distance the wave travels with the motion of the source.
For a moving observer and stationary source, you consider the frequency for the difference in velocities of the wavefront and the moving observer and then convert to wavelength. By combining the equations for both situations, you can derive the general Doppler Effect equation.
Questions you may have include:
- What are the equations for a moving source and stationary observer?
- What are the equations for a moving observer and stationary source?
- What are the equations when both are moving?
This lesson will answer those questions. Useful tool: Units Conversion
Moving source and stationary observer
Consider the Doppler Effect when the the observer is stationary and the source of the wavefront is moving tpward it in the x-direction.
Source is moving toward stationary observer
Note: According to our conventions, the source velocity is constant and less than the wave velocity, the x-direction is positive, and only motion along the x-axis is considered.
Finding observed wavelength
The wave velocity is:
c = λS/T
where:
- c is the wave velocity
- λS is the wavelength of the source or the distance between crests
- T is the time it takes a wave to move one wavelength λS
Solving for T:
T = λS/c
If the source is moving at a velocity vS toward a stationary observer, then the distance that the source moves in time T is:
d = vST
where
- d is the distance the source moves in time T
- vS is the velocity of the source toward a stationary observer
When the source is moving in the x-direction, it is "catching up" to the previously emitted wave when it emits the next wavefront. This means the wavelength reaching the observer, λO, is shortened.
Note: If the source was moving in the opposite direction, λO would be lengthened.
The observed wavelength λO is then:
λO = λS − d
Observed wavelength as a function of source velocity
Substitute T = λS/c into d = vST:
d = vSλS/c
Substitute this value for d into λO = λS − d:
λO = λS − vSλS/c
Factoring out λS gives you:
λO = λS(1 − vS/c)
The equation is also often written as:
λO = λS(c − vS)/c
If the source is moving away from the observer, the sign of vS changes.
Change in wavelength
Define the change in wavelength as:
Δλ = λS − λO
Since λO = λS − d:
Δλ = λS − (λS − d)
Also since d = vSλS/c:
Δλ = λS − (λS − vSλS/c)
Δλ = λSvS/c
Moving observer and stationary source
Suppose the source is stationary and the observer is moving in the x-direction away from the source.
Observer moving away from oncoming waves
Finding observed wavelength
In this situation, the observed wave frequency is a combination of the wave velocity and observer velocity, divided by the actual wavelength:
fO = (c − vO)/λS
where
- fO is the observed frequency
- vO is the observer velocity
But also fO = c/λO:
c/λO = (c − vO)/λS
Reciprocating both sides of the equation:
λO/c = λS/(c − vO)
λO = λSc/(c − vO)
Multiply by c:
λO = λS/[(c − vO)/c]
Thus:
λO = λSc/(c − vO)
or
λO = λS/(1 − vO/c)
Change in wavelength
The change in wavelength is defined as:
Δλ = λS − λO
Substitute λO = λSc/(c − vO):
Δλ = λS − λSc/(c − vO)
Multiply λS times (c − vO)/(c − vO):
Δλ =[ λS(c − vO) − λSc]/(c − vO)
Reduce and simplify:
Δλ =[ λSc − λSvO− λSc]/(c − vO)
Thus:
Δλ = −λSvO/(c − vO)
or
Δλ = λS/(1 − c/vO)
General wavelength equation
When both the source and observer are moving in the x-direction, you can combine the individual equations to get a general Doppler Effect wavelength equation.
Let λO1 be the wavelength equation for a moving source and stationary observer:
λO1 = λS(c − vS)/c
For the case when both the source and observer moving, substitute λO1 for λS in the
λO = λSc/(c − vO):
λO = λO1c/(c − vO)
λO = [λS(c − vS)/c]c/(c − vO)
Simplify:
λO = λSc(c − vS)/c(c − vO)
Thus:
λO = λS(c − vS)/(c − vO)
or
λO(c − vO) = λS(c − vS)
Change in wavelength
The general change in wavelength is:
Δλ = λS − λO
Substitute for λO:
Δλ = λS − λS(c − vS)/(c − vO)
Δλ = [λS(c − vO) − λS(c − vS)]/(c − vO)
Δλ = (λSc − λSvO − λSc + λSvS)/(c − vO)
Thus:
Δλ = λS(vS − vO)/(c − vO)
Summary
The derivation of the Doppler Effect equations is the most straightforward by starting with wavelength. The Doppler Effect equations for the change in wavelength or in frequency as a function of the velocity of the wave source and/or observer can be determined though simple and logical derivations.
You can start with a moving source and stationary observer by considering the observed distance the wave travels with the motion of the source. For a moving observer and stationary source, you consider the frequency for the difference in velocities of the wavefront and the moving observer and then convert to wavelength. By combining the equations for both situations, you can derive the general Doppler Effect equation.
General wavelength equation
λO = λS(c − vS)/(c − vO)
Δλ = λS(vS − vO)/(c − vO)
Moving source and stationary observer
λO = λS(c − vS)/c
Δλ = λSvS/c
Moving observer and stationary source
λO = λSc/(c − vO)
Δλ = −λSvO/(c − vO)
Move with the flow
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Derivation of Doppler Effect Wavelength Equations