Subject

Light, Sound and Waves

Why a siren changes pitch as it passes, and why a straw looks bent in a glass of water. Wave physics hiding in plain sight.

Articles

The Doppler Effect — Why Sirens Change Pitch as They Pass An approaching siren sounds higher; a receding one sounds lower. Same physics that tells astronomers how fast galaxies are moving. Here's how a single mechanism produces both effects.
Why a Straw Looks Bent in Water — Refraction Made Simple Light slows down when it enters water, and the slowing causes it to bend at the surface. The straw is straight; your brain just constructs an image from light that took a kinked path.

Where to go next

A short editorial reading list. Pick whichever fits how you like to learn.

Wikipedia: the formal definition, cross-references, and citations

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