me and a friend are having a debate in our physics class as to whether or not grass would turn blue when an appropriate speed is reached due to the doppler effect. we worked out the mathematical point at which this would occur (cant remember exact number right now, but practically speaking the speed is beyond anything currently possible). but if this speed was attainable would grass appear to turn blue?....
2007-07-04 09:10:13 · 7 answers · asked by Davo C 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
Yes. We see redshifts and blueshifts in starlight. Mostly redshifts because stuff is moving away from us.
If you were traveling at relativistic speeds towards a blade of grass (or likewise if it were coming at you), it would look bluer. Of couse, you can't see a blade of grass from very far away. And at those speeds, you'd cover that distance before being able to really see the blade.
But in principle, the answer to your question is yes.
2007-07-04 09:14:05 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes. Given that the wavelength of green is around 510nm and blue around 475nm, then the relativistic doppler shift would require a speed of about .07c to make this shift, or about 47 597 937.7 miles / hour.
2007-07-04 11:52:29 · answer #2 · answered by supastremph 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yeah, of course it would. Wear a helmet.
2007-07-04 09:12:29 · answer #3 · answered by The Instigator 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It would look more blue but it probably would not be blue.
2007-07-04 09:27:19 · answer #4 · answered by Phillip 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
sure...but i don't think it wold have to be that fast...blue is not that far off in wavelength from green.
2007-07-04 09:13:37 · answer #5 · answered by ry0534 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
NERD!
2007-07-04 09:12:37 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
just NOT sure.
2007-07-04 09:18:18 · answer #7 · answered by Cami 7 · 0⤊ 3⤋