THE DOPPLER EFFECT

 
 

Basic wave theory applies to both sound and light waves.  Your mission is to collect information about waves and apply that information towards explaining the use of Doppler Radar to locate tornadoes.

 
 
Objectives Task Resources Process
Conclusion


 

TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD TAKES PLACE IN MONROEVILLE, ALABAMA.  THIS STORY DESCRIBES THE VIOLENCE IN A SMALL TOWN COMMUNITY.
FOR THE PHYSICS PORTION OF THIS WEB PAGE PROJECT, THE STUDENTS WILL USE THE DOPPLER EFFECT TO INVESTIGATE VIOLENCE IN WEATHER; TORNADOES AND VIOLENT STORMS, BOTH COMMON TO THE GULF COAST STATES.

INSTRUCTIONAL OBJECTIVES:

        1.  To describe waves
        2.  To describe relative motion.
        3.  To describe the Doppler Effect for sound
        4.  To describe the Doppler Effect for light
        5.  To apply the Doppler Effect towards predicting violent storms

STUDENTS' TASK

Your mission is to become familiar with the basic properties of sound and light so that you can evaluate Doppler Radar Pictures.

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RESOURCES

A variety of web sites.
 
  • To define the wave properties of frequency, period, amplitude, and wavelength.

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       Define Frequency, Period, Amplitude, and Wavelength of a Wave
     
     
     
     

  • To examine relative motion

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     RelativeMotion (frame of reference)
     
     
     
     

  • To investigate  the Doppler Effect

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               What is the Doppler Effect?
     
     

        Examine the relative Motion between a sound source and the sound wave.

     Moving Point source: Doppler effect and shock wave
     
     
     

  • To investigate weather phenomena in Alabama and the Gulf Coast States.

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    What is the weather like in Monroeville Alabama?
     Welcome to Almanac.com
     GoToCity.com - Monroeville, Alabama
     

  • To apply the Doppler Effect of Light towards the evaluation of radar weather information

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    What extreme weather phenomena exist along the Gulf Coast of the United States?

     tornadoes
     

     How is the Doppler Radar used "in the field" to detect tornadoes?
     
     
     

    Other uses for Doppler Radar

     Helioseismology

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    PROCESS

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    CONCLUSIONS

    Through this project, you have collected information that will allow you to understand and explain how the Doppler Radar is used to determine violent weather phenomenon.
     

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    Instructional ObjectivesStudent Task | Resources | Process | Conclusions

     go to the To Kill A Mockingbird main page


    This page was created by Christine Shimek, Physics Teacher at Bryan High School, Blue Campus
    Last updated APRIL 12, 2000
     

    Graphics Obtained from the following sites:
     Animated Gifs: Icons
     Mike Shaikun's Animated Gif Collection