Exploring the Doppler Effect in Astronomy

What is the Doppler Effect?

• The bending of light as it passes through a medium

• The change in frequency or wavelength of a wave as the source and observer move relative to each other

• The reflection of sound waves off a surface

• The absorption of light by a distant star

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS4-1

What term describes the shift in light toward longer wavelengths when a star is moving away from Earth?

• Blueshift

• Ultraviolet shift

• Redshift

• Infrared shift

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS4-1

NGSS.HS-ESS1-2

Which of the following best defines frequency?

• The height of a wave from its rest position

• The speed at which a wave travels through a medium

• The number of wave cycles that pass a given point per second

• The distance between two consecutive wave crests

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS4-1

When an ambulance moves toward you with its siren on, what happens to the pitch of the sound you hear?

• The pitch decreases

• The pitch remains the same

• The pitch increases

• The pitch disappears

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS4-1

What does blueshift indicate about the motion of a star relative to Earth?

• The star is moving away from Earth

• The star is moving toward Earth

• The star is stationary

• The star is rotating on its axis

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS4-3

Which of the following correctly describes the relationship between pitch and frequency?

• Higher frequency produces lower pitch

• Pitch and frequency are unrelated

• Lower frequency produces higher pitch

• Higher frequency produces higher pitch

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS4-1

An astronomer observes that the spectral lines of a distant galaxy are shifted toward the red end of the spectrum. What conclusion can the astronomer draw about this galaxy?

• The galaxy is moving toward Earth at high speed

• The galaxy is stationary relative to Earth

• The galaxy is moving away from Earth

• The galaxy is rotating faster than usual

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS1-2

NGSS.HS-PS4-3

Two stars are observed from Earth. Star A shows a blueshift and Star B shows a redshift. Which of the following correctly describes their motion?

• Both stars are moving away from Earth

• Star A is moving away from Earth, and Star B is moving toward Earth

• Star A is moving toward Earth, and Star B is moving away from Earth

• Both stars are stationary

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS1-2

Scientists observe that nearly all distant galaxies show a redshift in their spectral lines. What does this observation suggest about the universe?

• The universe is shrinking

• The universe is stationary

• The universe is expanding

• The universe is rotating around a central point

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS1-2

A student notices that when a car honking its horn drives past them, the pitch of the horn sounds higher as it approaches and lower as it moves away. Which concept best explains this observation, and what is happening to the sound wave frequency in each case?

• Reflection of sound; frequency stays the same in both cases

• Doppler Effect; frequency increases as the car approaches and decreases as it moves away

• Doppler Effect; frequency decreases as the car approaches and increases as it moves away

• Resonance; frequency doubles as the car approaches and halves as it moves away