Question

What are 2 applications of the Doppler effect? Describe one stemming from nature and one from technology.

Answer 1

Two applications of Doppler effect:

Use in nature:
Astronomy
Astronomy is the study of celestial bodies such as stars, planets etc. and phenomena that started out of the earth’s atmosphere. Telescopes can be used to see stars and other bodies, but it has its limitations. At certain distances images are not that clear. Hence the speed at which galaxies and stars are coming towards us or moving away from us. It is used to calculate the speed at which a galaxies and stars rotates and the if a star is in close range (binary).

Use in technology:
Use in Radar

There is some radar that uses the Doppler effect, to calculate the velocity of target objects. A radar beam is shot at a target in motion for example a vehicle. The police use the radar to detect vehicle that are on high speed, shooting this moving vehicle with the radar beam helps to accurately calculate the velocity of the vehicle and indicated how fast the vehicle is going.