Yes, there is a difference between the Doppler Effect on sound and the Doppler Effect on light, even though both sound and light are forms of waves and exhibit similar behavior in some respects.
The Doppler Effect refers to the change in frequency (and therefore wavelength) of a wave as observed by an observer moving relative to the source of the wave. It is commonly experienced when a source of waves (e.g., a moving car) emits waves (e.g., sound or light), and an observer perceives a different frequency (pitch) or wavelength depending on their relative motion.
The primary difference between the Doppler Effect on sound and light lies in the way sound and light waves propagate and the medium through which they travel:
Propagation Medium: Sound waves require a medium, such as air, water, or solids, to travel. They are mechanical waves that result from the compression and rarefaction of molecules in the medium. Consequently, the motion of the source and observer relative to the medium affects the observed frequency.
Light waves, on the other hand, do not require a medium to propagate. They are electromagnetic waves that can travel through vacuum as well as various media. The Doppler Effect for light waves is determined solely by the relative motion of the source and observer, independent of any medium.
Speed: Sound waves travel at a relatively slower speed compared to light waves. The speed of sound in air at sea level is approximately 343 meters per second (or about 1,235 kilometers per hour), whereas light travels at a staggering speed of about 299,792 kilometers per second.
Since the speeds of sound and light are vastly different, the observed effects of the Doppler Effect are more pronounced for sound waves compared to light waves. In other words, the change in frequency or wavelength is typically more noticeable in sound because the relative speeds of the source and observer are usually comparable to the speed of sound.
In summary, while the fundamental principle of the Doppler Effect remains the same for sound and light waves (i.e., a change in observed frequency or wavelength due to relative motion), the main difference lies in the requirement of a medium for sound and the speed of propagation. The Doppler Effect is more apparent and significant for sound due to the involvement of a medium and the slower speed of sound compared to light.