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The Doppler Effect of Light
The Doppler Effect of Light
32. Electromagnetic Waves / The Doppler Effect of Light / Problem 1

An atomic species emits light with a characteristic frequency f0f_{0} while at a rest state. A diatomic gas of such atomic species has been heated to temperature TT^{\prime}. Due to their random thermal motions, some atoms move toward or against an onlooker. Assuming that root mean square speed characterizes their thermal motions:

(i) Determine the expression for the fractional variation Δff0\frac{\Delta f}{f_{0}} between Doppler shifted frequencies corresponding to those moving straightly toward or against the onlooker, Assume mc23kTm c^{2} \gg 3 k T^{\prime}.

(ii) Compute Δf/f0\Delta f / f_{0} for a gas of oxygen atoms at 300 K.

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